Robredo won't quit post as co-chair of anti-drugs body – spokesperson

Vice President Leni Robredo will not quit her post as co-chair of the Inter-Agency Committee on Anti-Illegal Drugs even if President Rodrigo Duterte mistrusted her, the Vice President's spokesperson Barry Gutierrez said on Friday.    

Gutierrez, responding to Palace spokesperson Salvador Panelo’s suggestion that the Vice President quietly leave her post if she was uncomfortable with it, said that “Vice President Leni does not mind the heat at all."

"She expected it. She thrives in it. He can rely on one thing—she will continue to do her job,” Gutierrez said.

“Vice President Leni has always been ready for the heat. There are those who are trying their utmost to make her job harder. [But] she certainly won't abandon her responsibilities to the Filipino people just for them,” he added.

Robredo earlier said that she was staying put in her post because “it is always worth working for something we believe in.”

“Naniniwala ako na marami akong macoco-contribute sa kampanya laban sa ilegal na droga,” Robredo added.

Duterte appointed Robredo to the ICAD post three weeks ago after the Vice President said that the drug war is not working because drug war deaths do not reduce the drug menace in the country.

However, the President has since said that he mistrusted Robredo, whom he characterized as a scatterbrain.

Robredo countered that the President could certainly act on his misgivings and revoke her appointment.

Based on Robredo’s appointment papers, she would serve as ICAD co-chair until June 30, 2022 “unless earlier revoked.”

The Vice President has also since refused access to confidential information on high-value drugs targets pending the President’s reply on her clarification as to the parameters of her mandate as ICAD chair. — DVM, GMA News