The post of anti-drug czar may be a make-or-break moment for Vice Pesident Leni Robredo but the public should refrain from prejudging her and instead give her a chance to prove her mettle, according to a Palace official.
Presidential spokesman Salvador Panelo said Robredo could apply her own strategy in enforcing the laws against the illegal drugs trade after accepting the post as new co-chairperson of the Inter-Agency Committee on Anti-Illegal Drugs.
“Let’s not be judging her. Ang sinasabi ko huwag muna tayong tumalon, hayaan mo siyang dumiskarte,” Panelo said in a recent radio interview.
“Of course mahirap magtrabaho. She will be just like walking in a high wire, she either makes it or breaks it,” he added.
Panelo, however, voiced confidence in the capability of Robredo to carry out her latest job, saying “this is her moment.”
“Bright naman iyan si VP Leni, kaya niya iyan,” said Panelo, who recently claimed that the drug czar post might be Robredo’s ticket to the presidency if she succeeds.
He said Robredo has an opportunity to chance to “correct” the perceived flaws in the anti-drug campaign after she criticized the President’s alleged failure.
“Siya ang magpapakita sa atin, hindi tayo. Kasi siya ang nag-criticize di ba. Ibig sabihin meron siyang mga nakikita sa kanyang pananaw na mali na iko-correct niya, oh eh di pagbigyan natin,” he said.
Panelo also assured anew Robredo that the administration is ready to support her in the campaign against illegal drugs. He said they would not let Robredo fail since it will also be the failure of the administration.
“We wish her well. We will give her all the support that she need,” he said. (Genalyn Kabiling)
