By Genalyn Kabiling
Malacañang has defended Vice President Leni Robredo from House Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano and other critics, urging them to let the new anti-drug czar perform her job.
Presidential Spokesman Salvador Panelo
(OPS / MANILA BULLETIN)
After Cayetano slammed Robredo for being “all talk” since her designation, Presidential Spokesman Salvador Panelo justified that the Vice President was merely outlining her plans in addressing the drug problem.
“Hindi naman siguro. Baka naman ‘yung sinasabi lang ni VP Leni kung ano ‘yung gusto niyang mangyari [Maybe it’s not. VP Leni is just trying to say what she wants to happen],” Panelo said in a radio interview, reacting to Cayetano’s “all talk” remark against Robredo.
“Kumbaga—sabi nga ni Presidente, ‘bigay natin sa kaniya. Let’s give her a wide latitude.’ She’s now the anti-drug czar so let her perform her work muna. Huwag muna nating husgahan [The President said, ‘Let’s give it to her. Let’s give her a wide latitude.’ She’s now the anti-drug czar so let her perform her work for the meantime. Let’s not judge her], “he said.
Panelo insisted the Vice President, the new co-chairperson of the Inter-Agency Committee on Anti-Illegal Drugs (ICAD), should be allowed to present her own strategy in addressing the drug menace without interference from nitpickers and quarterbacks.
“Maraming nagpapa-papel eh! Huwag na muna, hayaan muna nating magtrabaho ‘yung ale [Many people are trying to get attention. Let the lady do her job],” he said.
By designating Robredo as anti-drug czar, Panelo explained that the President has given the Vice President an opportunity to help in the campaign against the illegal drug trade. He added that Robredo could expect the support of the administration following the directive given by the President.
“Hindi niya pinapasa, kung hindi binibigyan niya siya ng pagkakataon na makatulong sa digmaan sa droga kasi kailangan naman talaga magtulungan tayong lahat [He is not passing the buck. He is giving her the chance to help in the war on drugs because we all need to help each other],” he said.
Robredo recently held her first meeting with the members of ICAD and pushed for an end to the “senseless killings” in the drug war. She also sought to modify the controversial Oplan Tokhang , saying anti-drug campaign should focus on access to public health and that operations must be maintained within the rule of law and bounds of human rights.
Cayetano, however, criticized that Robredo has started “on the wrong mouth” by raising ideas about the drug war before she met with the ICAD members.
He claimed that Oplan Tokhang has become “Operation All Talk” under Robredo, adding that the Vice President supposedly enjoyed the media spotlight. But he reminded Robredo that newly appointed officials usually buckled down to work before talking.