Malacanang said yesterday that Vice President and newly appointed anti-drug czar Leni Robredo won’t have to attend all Cabinet meetings but has the option to attend those that tackle the war on drugs.
Presidential spokesperson Salvador Panelo said it was up to Cabinet members if they want to attend the monthly meetings even if the issues to be tackled do not concern them.
“When we have a Cabinet meeting we are invited by the Cabinet Secretary and we are asked if we are going or not. In other words, it’s optional for us to attend because if it’s not your topic there, you’ll have to stay there for the rest of the meeting until the wee hours of the morning,” he said. “Kung hindi ka naman kasama doon sa agenda, mas masaya siguro kung hindi ka na lang umattend. That’s why I said ‘You should be thankful. Pupunta ka lang kung alam mo topic mo,'” he added.
Panelo said Robredo can still air her sentiments on the issues being tackled in Cabinet meetings even if she would not be present because transcripts are provided to all members.
“How? Eh ‘di mag-issue ka ng statement, gawa ka ng memorandum addressed to whomsoever you want,” he added.
Robredo took on President Duterte’s offer to co-chair the Inter-agency Committee on Anti-Illegal Drugs until the end of their term in 2022. The President made Robredo the offer after she said the drug war was a failure and needed reassessment. (Argyll Geducos)
