Duterte offers Robredo Cabinet rank, command over anti-drug agencies

President Rodrigo Duterte has given meat to his offer for Vice President Leni Robredo to take on the unenviable job of being the administration's anti-drug czar, presidential spokesman Salvador Panelo indicated on Thursday.

He said he didn't need to put his offer in writing as retired Senior Associate Justice Antonio Carpio suggested.

"If I would take her in as the drug czar, I will have to first make her a Cabinet member. Then I will give her the marching orders and the specific functions. All in connection with drugs, kanya," Duterte said.

Asked if he would put the offer in writing, Duterte said, "Hindi na kailangan."

"I will swear her as a Cabinet member. First, balik siya so that she will have the authority," Duterte said.

If Robredo receives his offer, then the former will have a free hand on how to deal with illegal drugs and criminality.

"Pagka tinanggap ni Leni… If anything that has to do with drugs and criminality, you ask her. Siya ang ilagay ko. Tingnan natin. Hindi na ako makialam," Duterte said.

"Sabihin mo sa kanya tanggapin niya. Sisikat siya diyan. Hindi ko nakayanan, baka kaya niya," he added.

Duterte said Cabinet members are the alter ego of the president, stressing that everything they do would appear like it has his mandate.

"Eh alam mo ang Cabinet members are alter ego lang ng Presidente ‘yan. So kung may gawain ang Cabinet member, it is as if it is mine. So to make it legal, just a little fiat," he added.

"Hindi na kailangan na mag-ano pa ako sa Congress. I will just make her a Cabinet member. Tapos, all drug cases and all things, matters in connection with drugs, 'Iyo na ‘yan. Hanggang katapusan ng term ko," Duterte said.

Full supervision

In a statement, presidential spokesman Secretary Salvador Panelo said Duterte's offer included Robredo having the authority to command all government offices involved in the campaign against drugs.

"To dispel all doubts on the sincerity of the Chief Executive’s offer, as well as to put a halt to the discordant pessimism of the opposition, the President renews his offer to the Vice President to become the anti-illegal drugs czar, with all offices, bureaus, agencies or government instrumentalities involved in the enforcement of the law on prohibited drugs placed under her command and supervision with a cabinet secretary portfolio, to ensure her effectiveness in combatting the drug menace," Panelo said.

“The Office of the President wishes to be categorical and contrary to the claim of critics and detractors of this administration, we want VP Leni to succeed, her success being ultimately a triumph of the Filipino people against the dreaded and destructive evil that is destroying the basic fabric of our society,” he added.

Administration critics have described the President's gesture as a trap, arguing that it was impossible for Robredo to solve the drug menace within a limited period and without the support of anti-drug bureaus and agencies.

Robredo seemed not keen on the idea, telling reporters on Tuesday that Duterte won’t have to delegate the job if the anti-narcotics campaign was successful.

“The Palace has heard the various commentaries from the political opposition with regard to the President's offer to Vice President Leni Robredo to head the government’s campaign against the prohibited drug trade, which at once, giving her the golden opportunity to lead the anti-drugs activities of the government for six months,” Panelo said.

“To dispel all doubts on the sincerity of the Chief Executive’s offer, as well as to put a halt to the discordant pessimism of the opposition, the President renews his offer to the Vice President to become the anti-illegal drugs czar,” he added.

Duterte first made the offer on Monday in response to Robredo’s statement that the anti-narcotics campaign was not working because it allegedly failed to curb drug use. 

While he was running for president in 2016, Duterte promised to solve the country's problems with crime and illegal drugs in six months.

He later said that he underestimated the extent of the drug menace, adding that he needed more time to deliver his promise. —NB, GMA News