PDEA's Aquino urges Robredo to accept ICAD co-chair post

It would be best if Vice President Leni Robredo would accept Malacañang's offer for her to be co-chair of the Inter-Agency Committee on Anti-Illegal Drugs (ICAD), according to Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) chief Director-General Aaron Aquino on Wednesday.

"Magiging plus factor 'yun kasi mas maganda 'yung imbes na mag-ano ng mga batikos eh bakit hindi na lang tayo magtulungan para matapos itong probolema na ito? That will be a good move for the VP if she accepts 'yung position na ito," Aquino, current chair of ICAD, said in an interview on Unang Balita.

Aquino said all government agencies under the ICAD will support Robredo if she accepts the offer in its continuing bid to curb the illegal drug problem in the country.

Asked if he would be comfortable to work with Robredo, Aquino said: "Maiilang lang dahil ang co-chairman ko ay isang Vice President."

Despite previously saying that Robredo will fail if she becomes a drug czar, Aquino said that the two of them can help each other in leading the inter-agency body.

"Puwede nga naming paghatian 'yun, 'yung trabaho. Puwedeng siya doon sa adbokasiya at pagdating doon sa rehabilitation at reintegration na cluster," he said.

"Akin naman pwede ko hawakan 'yung law enforcement cluster at justice cluster," he added.

President Rodrigo Duterte previously offered Robredo to be a drug czar for six months after she gave a remark that the administration's drug war needs reassessment.

"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 had said.

With the latest offer at the table, the Palace said that Duterte has given Robredo "a ladder to the presidency."

“This is her chance. This is her moment. She should accept it. Be in the moment. Help the Filipino people. Help this administration. Help herself and show to her colleagues that she can hack it, she can do it,” presidential spokesperson Salvador Panelo said.

Robredo's camp, however, said that the offer was "problematic."

"Kapag tiningnan niyo ang letter, walang laman. Problematic iyong offer in the sense na hindi nag-eexist iyong office at hindi clear anong powers siya magiging responsible,” lawyer Barry Gutierrez, Robredo's spokesperson, said. —Dona Magsino/KBK, GMA News