By GENALYN KABILING
It’s the end of the road for Vice President Leni Robredo as the country’s anti-drug czar.
President Duterte has decided to fire Vice President Leni Robredo as co-chairperson of the Inter-Agency Committee on Illegal Drugs, a few days after declaring she does not trust the opposition leader.
Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea confirmed the President’s decision to let go of the Vice President as drug czar last night.
Presidential spokesman Salvador Panelo was expected to a formal statement on the status of Robredo’s designation last night. Panelo is currently in South Korea where Duterte will attend a regional summit this week.
Last Oct. 31, the President signed a memorandum designating Robredo as ICAD co-chairperson. She was directed to lead the government’s efforts against illegal drugs until June 30, 2022, unless sooner revoked.
Earlier, the President admitted noticing Robredo has yet to perform her duty as ICAD co-chair despite her designation nearly a month ago.
He also decided against appointing Robredo to the Cabinet because he did not trust the opposition leader. He said Robredo belongs to the opposition group and might use information against the government in the run-up to the 2022 presidential elections.
Malacanang has said Robredo committed missteps, including attempts to consult foreign individuals or entities that have prejudged the drug war, her insistence to obtain classified information, and her tendency to share information to others. Panelo said these were deemed “red signs” the President could not ignore.
