Vice President Leni Robredo may lose her post as the country’s anti-drug czar if President Duterte is not satisfied with her performance.
Even as the President has given Robredo free rein to lead the anti-drug campaign, presidential spokesman Salvador Panelo said the performance of the Vice President, like other Cabinet members and presidential appointees, will be evaluated by the Chief Executive.
“Lahat naman ng members ng Cabinet and for that matter all officials of government, are subject to evaluation and assessment of the President relative to the performance of their work,” Panelo said yesterday.
Asked if the President can remove Robredo from her post if he is not satisfied with her work, Â Panelo said: “Lahat naman ‘yan puwede. Presidente siya eh.”
“Everybody holds office at the pleasure of the President. All of us know that,” he added.
For now, Panelo said the President has declared support for Robredo and has given her space to implement her own strategy in addressing the drug menace.
He also said it was up to Robredo if she wants to scrap “Oplan: Tokhang” and carry out what she believes would be an effective alternative. He maintained that Robredo is “in charge” of the anti-drug campaign.
“If she wants to scrap it, siya ang anti-drug czar. Kung sa tingin niya may mas effective sa Tokhang, eh di gawin niya,” he said. “If that will be effective in so far as the drug war is concerned, she’s been given the authority,” he added. (Genalyn Kabiling)