Leni to bare findings, recommendations on drug war after SEA Games
Vice President Leni Robredo will make good on her word and release a report on her findings about the drug war and recommendations to the public culled from her short stint as co-chair of the Inter-agency Committee on Anti-Illegal Drugs (ICAD).
On her Sunday radio show, “BISErbisyong Leni,” Robredo said she decided to defer the release of the report last week due to the country’s hosting of the 30th Southeast Asian (SEA) Games.
“We were set on Wednesday or Thursday last week because it was my third week on the job. It was my decision not to release it. I said let the SEA Games finish first, even the opening only in deference to our athletes,” she said.
Robredo made the statement after President Duterte dared her to reveal what she had found out from her time as the ICAD co-chair. His spokesman also questioned the delay in the release of her report, hinting at possible efforts to fabricate it.
“You seem to be threatening na may information ka (that you have information. Ilabas mo (Release it),” Duterte said, addressing the opposition stalwart in Malacañang.
A day after Duterte sacked from her post on November 24, Robredo said she would disclose to the public her findings about the government’s drug war during her brief stint at ICAD. She was fired just 19 days into the job.
In her radio show, she elaborated her findings was about her supposed discoveries on the operations involving the anti-drug campaign, which was meant to improve its implementation.
Robredo said the President was not able to read the two reports that she had submitted so she would just make it public. She was about to submit a third report to Duterte last week before she was fired.
“It would be such a waste if the reports are only on his desk and not read. For me, it is better to be considered for whatever it is worth. It is up to them to whether implement it,” she said in Filipino.
The lady official was then puzzled at the reaction of Duterte and administration officials when she said she would disclose all that she had discovered about the war on drugs and her recommendations.
“These are my recommendations to him so it can be changed, but I’m not making a threat. Why would I do that? It would not bring any good,” she said.
Robredo reiterated her performance at ICAD was not a source of conflict.
“The people whom I worked with know I did my job. They know my well intention to look for ways on how to improve and fix the campaign,” she said.
The former drug czar said she will not dignify the rude remarks made by Duterte against her.
Duterte claimed Robredo “made an a ***** e of herself” while she served briefly at the anti-drug body. He also belittled once again her capability to lead the nation if she becomes the country’s top leader.