Duterte dares Robredo to reveal drug war ‘discovery’

“Ang ayaw ko doon the first thing she did was to go to the Embassy of the United States of America then to the U.N. and to the E.U.,” said Pres. Duterete.

Pres. Duterte answers a reporter's question in Malacañang Thursday night. (PCOO)

President Rodrigo Duterte on Thursday night dared Vice President Leni Robredo to reveal what she might have discovered, including possible irregularities, in the government’s anti-illegal drugs war during her 19-day stint as drug czarina.

The Chief Executive made the remark in a press briefing after presiding the 2019 OFW Family of the Year Award (MOFYA) program held at the Heroes Hall of Malacañang Palace.

“You seem to be threatening na may information ka, ilabas mo.. Ano man ‘yang mga — ‘yung mga statements na merong mga ganun na, ‘Marami pa akong information na — bantay kayo.’ [You have information, you release it. Whatever statements that you make ‘I have lots of information — you should be on guard’] in the so many days that…in the so many days that… How long was she there? 19?

“She made an a****** of herself. Always talking. Ang ayaw ko doon the first thing she did was to go to the Embassy of the United States of America then to the U.N. and to the E.U.,” said Duterte.

The President also again did not hide her displeasure on the Vice President for talking to other people and agencies instead of those in the law enforcement sector and other groups.

Duterte has been very sensitive on criticisms by some of his war on illegal drugs which has left more than 5,000 people killed since he assumed the Presidency.

President Duterte previously threatened to slap a human rights advocate in front of Robredo if she brought him over to the Philippines.

The President was referring to Phelim Kine, formerly of Human Rights Watch. who told Robredo via a tweet on 11 November that “My bags are packed and I’m ready to come to the #Philippines to help advise how to end this murderous ‘drug war.”

“Meanwhile here is my Recommendation No. 1: Arrest #Duterte and his henchmen for inciting & instigating mass murder,” Kine added in his tweet.

In a previous press briefing. Robredo denied that she had invited United Nations bodies to look into his drug war and cautioned the President not to immediately believe “fake news” that has been circulating.

Robredo explained that she only met with the officials of the UN Office on Drugs and Crime and officers of the United States Embassy, which has been providing assistance on the government’s efforts to fight the illegal drugs menace.

“Pero lahat na ano, kinausap mo. Instead of talking to the law enforcement, instead of talking to the barangay captains, instead of talking to — itong mga tao [those who are] handling the rehabilitation,” the President said.

“Sabi ko she made an a***** of herself. I will talk to the…” Kung sino-sino na… Except ang dineny (deny) niya ‘yung prosecutor.”

“Then ‘yung ang — ang sabi niya, kasi babae okay na lang. Sabi ko (I said, I apologize kasi [because] I cannot prove na hindi niya [that she didn’t]… Eh bakit mag sabi ‘yung u*** na p***** i**** prosecutor, “I’m packed and ready to go?”

“Eh ‘di may nag-imbita talaga [So someone really invited]. But since I cannot prove it because ginamit niya ang [because she used a] cellphone, I have to go into — it’s impossible. Sabi ko [I said], ‘Sige, pagbigyan kita. [Okay, I will oblige] I will admit na…,” he said.

Presidential Spokesman Salvador Panelo on Thursday did not discount the possibility that Robredo and those behind her could have just fabricated what she claims she have discovered during her 19-day stint as co-chair of the Inter-Agency Committee on Anti-Illegal Drugs or (ICAD).

Panelo said if it’s true that she discovered anything including possible irregularities in the government’s anti-illegal drugs war during her stint as drug czarina, she could have immediately revealed that while she was still in position and not when she was already fired by Duterte.

“Eh dapat nga, di ba, sinasabi ko kung totoong meron dapat inilabas niya noon pa. Dahil ba meron silang ginagawang multong nililikha nila (Just what I was saying if it’s true then she should have revealed it even before. Is it because they are making a ghost which they created?),” Panelo said.

“Presumably (it is fabricated) otherwise….ikaw ba kung andyan ka sa loob ka ng gobyerno, head ka ng agency, natuklasan mong may iregularidad (If you are inside government and you are head of an agency and you discovered an irregularity), you will keep you mouth shut? Of course, not. Immediately may presscon ka. (you will hold a presscon) I discover this Mr. President, this and that. Eh ilang araw na ‘yun? Tapos next week pa ata. Anu ba ‘yan (It’s how many days already? Then next week),” Panelo added.

Panelo said if it is true that Robredo discovered any irregularity or any unlawful act or scheme then it was her duty from the time that she discovered that irregularity to reveal that to the public and prosecute the people behind it because she is a public official.

“Why didn’t she do that? At bakit nag-aantay pa siya ng matagal? Ibig ba sabihin porke’t nasa administrasyon ka noon kung anong nakita mong masama ayaw mo ilabas? Ngayong nasa labas ka na, gusto mo nang ilabas? (What is she waiting for? Does it mean when she was still in the administration whatever she discovered she doesn’t want that to come out? Now that she’s outside, she want’s to release it). That does not speak well with the Vice President,” he said.

“Another thing, why is she taking so long? Dahil ba kasi may nag-prepare nang iba para sa kanya? Ano ‘yung report na ‘yun? Kasi kung may natuklasan ka agad immediately. Palagi naman siyang nagpe-presscon di sinabi niya sana. In fact, pinupuri nga niya iyung isang rehabilitation center. Meron siyang mga papuri eh (Is it because someone was preparing it for her? What’s that report? Because if you discovered something you will announce it immediately. She always holds presscons so she should have said it. In fact she was even praising a rehabilitation center. She has praises),” Panelo said.

Panelo reiterated that it is common sense that if government is hiding something, why would the President accept her back in the administration as ICAD co-chair knowing fully too well that she is a member of the opposition.

“Of course, kaya nga siya in-appoint precisely para makita niya ang loob kaya may access siya sa lahat (that’s why she was appointed precisely for her to see that inside that’s why she has access in everything),” Panelo said.

A day after being fired by the President on Sunday, 24 November, Robredo announced that she will “report to the public” what she discovered in the government’s campaign against illegal drugs.