Stakes up, VP mum

If I would take her in as the drug czar, I will have to first make her a Cabinet member.

Vice President Leni Robredo went off air, personally and on social media, yesterday after President Rodrigo Duterte doubled down on his offer for her to assume control of the anti-narcotics drive up to the end of his term from his initial dare of only six months.

The President is also now offering Robredo a Cabinet position that will be hers for the taking the moment she takes up the challenge.

In a chance interview in Davao City, Duterte said he would give Robredo a Cabinet position so that “she will have the authority” to take over all drug-related agencies and bureaus.

“If I would take her in as the drug czar, I will have to first make her a Cabinet member. Then, I will give her the marching orders and the specific functions. All in connection with drugs, it’s hers,” Duterte said.

The President indicated he will order the next Philippine National Police (PNP) chief, who he will name soon, to follow the orders of Robredo if she takes the offer.

“If Robredo accepts it, if anything that has to do with drugs and criminality, you ask her, I will put her in charge. Let’s see. I will not interfere,” he said.

Duterte, however, said he will not need to put his offer in formal writing. All Robredo needs to do is rejoin his Cabinet.

In what could be considered as an excuse to evade the President’s challenge, Robredo through spokesman Barry Gutierrez said she’s open to help Mr. Duterte address the illegal drug problem, but she maintained the offer should be done through the proper channels.

“It should not be through text nor a media hype,” Gutierrez said, apparently reacting to presidential spokesman Salvador Panelo’s message to Robredo sent through text on the President’s offer and his call to Robredo in front of newsmen that went unanswered.

Robredo was chairman of the Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council (HUDCC) until she stepped down on 5 December 2016. Since then, she has not assumed any major Cabinet position.

“The President renews his offer to the Vice President to become the anti-illegal drugs czar, with all offices, bureaus, agencies or government instrumentalities involved in the enforcement of the law on prohibited drugs placed under her command and supervision with a Cabinet secretary portfolio, to ensure her effectiveness in combatting the drug menace,” Panelo said.

He said the President made this decision after hearing commentaries made by the opposition calling his offer “a trap,” since six months is a limited time to solve the country’s drug problem.

He denied that Duterte was only offering Robredo the position to see her fail because she would lack support from anti-drug bureaus and agencies.

“We want VP Leni to succeed, her success being ultimately a triumph of the Filipino people against the dreaded and destructive evil that is destroying the basic fabric of our society,” Panelo said.

The President added the constant politicking of Robredo is already enough for Filipinos not to vote for her.

He cited the previous comments made by Robredo stating government officials and employees are prohibited by law from accepting gifts in any form.

The President earlier said he finds nothing wrong with policemen accepting cash or “gifts” from the public.

Robredo cited Republic Act 6713, or the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees, to counter the President’s statement.

“Then here comes a lawyer criticizing about the police. Leni had not said anything good for the police. They really don’t have any connect. Everything that is being done by the military and police — either it’s wrong, or not right,” Mr. Duterte said.

“So, that’s a problem with Leni. If she becomes the President, she does not even know the law, that the police are allowed to accept gifts according to the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Law. What is punished are those who solicit huge amounts,” he said.

“It’s in the law, to punish those who will ask for something or those who ask first before rendering any work,” he noted.

“If you are politicking, I know what to say in Filipino, “S** of a b**ch. Don’t vote for Leni. You will be a disgrace,” he added.

The President also expressed belief that Robredo will become instantly famous if she will accept the job as drug czar.

“If Leni accepts it, if anything that has to do with drugs and criminality, you ask her, I will put her there. Let’s see. I won’t be meddling,” Duterte said.

“Tell her to accept it. She will become famous. I cannot do it… Maybe she can do something about it,” he said.