Senators wish Robredo good luck on new work as ICAD co-chair

Senators on Wednesday wished Vice President Leni Robredo good luck on her new job as co-chairperson of the inter-agency body tasked to handle the government’s war against illegal drugs, with some of them offering to lend her a hand.

Robredo announced on Wednesday she is accepting President Rodrigo Duterte's appointment of her as co-chairperson of the Inter-Agency Committee on Anti-Illegal Drugs (ICAD).

Senate President Vicente Sotto III said Robredo’s decision was a “very good move”.

“She can start by concentrating on prevention and rehabilitation. I'm willing to give her some ideas that have worked before,” he said in a message to reporters.

Senator Panfilo Lacson lauded Robredo for accepting the designation.

“Kudos to VP Robredo. I take my hat off to her for accepting the daunting challenge. Nobody in this world cannot be incapable of accomplishing a task as long as he or she puts his/her mind and conscience into the job,” he said.

He said experience counts but sincerity and mental honesty, not to mention the willingness to learn should count more.

“We should all give her the support she needs to contribute her share in battling this pestering problem of illegal drugs that destroys lives, families and the youth to whom we will bequeath the future of our beloved country. In my case, I am ready and willing to humbly share whatever modest law enforcement experience I gained in my previous life,” he said.

Robredo’s ally Minority Leader Franklin Drilon said he is confident the Vice President will be up for the job.

“The Vice President has accepted the challenge and we have full confidence that she can carry out the task. Being the leader of the opposition, Vice President Robredo will continue to fiscalize. But in instances such as this, when she is called upon to do her share, she will not shirk from this challenge,” he said in a press statement.

He said the task is enormous as the problems on illegal drugs continue to infect society and ruin lives and families.

“I call on the Filipino people and government instrumentalities involved in the campaign against illegal drugs to rally behind the Vice President. Her success is the success of our nation,” he said.

Senator Risa Hontiveros said she welcomes the decision of Robredo despite the observation of many that it is a setup for the latter to fail.

“The Vice President's decision is extremely laudable. It demonstrates her readiness to lead and sacrifice for the people and provide better solutions to the country's drug problem,” she said in a separate press statement.

If Robredo is provided all the necessary powers and resources and given the full liberty to implement a public health approach coupled with a rights-based law enforcement strategy, she can do a much better job in responding to the drug problem, she added.

Hontiveros called on the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA), the Philippine National Police (PNP), the Department of Health (DOH), the Department of Justice (DOJ) and all relevant agencies to fully support the Vice President and follow her lead.

“Naniniwala ako na kayang pangunahan ni Vice President Robredo ang kampanya laban sa droga na hindi abusado at korap, walang nadadamay at namamatay na mga inosente, maraming narerepormang mga buhay at walang iniilagang drug lords gaya ni Peter Lim,” she said.

Senator Juan Edgardo "Sonny" Angara said he was surprised with Robredo’s change of heart.

“We wish her well and hope she succeeds in helping solve the menace of drugs which destroys lives and communities. If she meets with success in her new role, it will be good for the country and the administration, which delegated the job to her,” he said in a text message to GMA News Online.

Senator Ronald dela Rosa, who used to lead the administration’s war on drugs, said he was happy that the Vice President chose to help the government in its campaign against illegal drugs.

“This is not just the problem of President Duterte. This is the problem of the whole Filipino nation kaya nga we need a whole nation approach para masawata itong problema sa droga. I am very optimistic na itong pagtanggap niya, sana ‘yung kanyang nalalaman na mga solusyon ay ibabahagi na niya ngayon sa war on drugs para magwagi tayo. We will be victorious in this war as a nation, undivided by political colors,” he said.

The former PNP chief said since he does not know Robredo well, he will just wait and see what she will contribute to the campaign.

“Hindi ko alam kung ano ang strategies niya. Hindi ko alam kung ano ang kaya niyang gawin. Ako, I’ll just wait and see kung ano ang maitutulong niya,” he said.

Senator Francis Tolentino expressed hope that Robredo would acquire the right historical perspective for her new post.

“Now that she is part of the anti-drug campaign as an insider, we hope she would acquire the right historical perpective — seeing the magnitude of the problem as well as accepting that the policy choices made by the President were done for the good of the country,” he said. —KG, GMA News