Leni given 3 years as anti-drugs leader

At least she’ll know the extent of the President’s job and the problems he faced in dealing with the drug problem

Chief Presidential Legal Counsel and presidential spokesman Salvador Panelo on Tuesday announced the designation of Vice President Maria Leonor Gerona Robredo “Leni” Robredo as a co-Chairperson of the Inter-Agency Committee on Anti-Illegal Drugs or (ICAD).

Panelo disclosed President Rodrigo Duterte had signed the appointment on 31 October, designating Robredo to the position of a “drug czarina.”

Under the memorandum, pursuant to the provisions of existing laws, rules and regulations, the President designated Robredo to lead the government’s efforts against illegal drugs until 30 June 2022.

The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA), Philippine National Police (PNP), Dangerous Drugs Board (DDB) and all other law enforcement agencies have also been directed to extend full assistance and cooperation to the Vice President to ensure the success of the Government’s efforts in the war against illegal drugs.

Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea, in a separate letter he signed also on 31 October, has already informed Robredo of her designation as co-chairman of ICAD.

“The Palace wishes to announce that the President has officially signed the paper which designates Vice President Leni Robredo as the co-Chairperson of the Inter-Agency Committee on Anti-Illegal Drugs,” Panelo said.

“With this development, the Palace supposes that detractors and critics will finally see the sincerity of the President in making such offer to the Vice President and understand that the Chief Executive’s ultimate motivation in making the same is the welfare of the Filipino people, with the hope that the government be successful in combating the atrocity caused by the use and trade of illegal narcotics, regardless of who greatly contributed to such success,” he added.

“First, these people have demanded that VP Leni be given the post with drug enforcement agencies and offices, such as the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency, the Philippine National Police and the Dangerous Drugs Board, under her authority, and the President has directed these instrumentalities to render full assistance and cooperation to her through this official document,” Panelo said.

“Second, they have demanded that she be authorized to become the drug czar until the end of PRRD’s term, and the same paper designates her with the highest position possible to battle the proliferation of dangerous drugs until 30 June 2022.”

“Finally, they have demanded that the power be granted through an official correspondence, and not just through a verbal or electronic communication, and the President has acceded to such demand,” he added.

Panelo confirmed that the position offered to Robredo is a Cabinet post. Once she accepts it, she can immediately attend the next Cabinet meeting on Thursday.

“She may have a better solution. This is an enticing opportunity to show her mettle as a public servant in destroying the drug apparatus, as well as helping the people be freed from this fatal threat to society,” Panelo said.

The Inter-Agency Committee on Anti-Illegal Drugs (ICAD) was formed by virtue of Executive Order 15.

It is chaired by the PDEA and is composed of 42 member-agencies, each having a specific role in the fight against illegal drugs.

Senator Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go also weighed in on the issue by challenging Robredo to accept Duterte’s appointment.

“She should accept it,” Go said. “At least she’ll know the extent of the President’s job and the problems he faced in dealing with the drug problem.”

Senate President Vicente Sotto also said: “It’s good that she’s being offered the position. She should now take it so that once and for all, she could realize that there is a huge problem on illegal drugs right now.”

Former Philippine National Police chief and now Sen. Ronald de la Rosa, who led the administration’s drug war until 2018, also claimed he is confident the vice president is fit for the job.

“With VP Robredo on board, I am optimistic that our war on drugs will become more successful. I hope that we can win this war as one nation undivided by political colors,” De la Rosa said.

House Committee on Dangerous Drugs chairperson Ace Barbers, meanwhile, said criticisms against the government’s drug war would end following Robredo’s appointment to the ICAD.