LENI ‘DI BINIGYAN NG CABINET RANK

MAPANGANIB ma­bigyan ng cabinet rank si Vice President Leni ­Robredo bilang drug czar.

Ito ang inihayag kahapon ni Presidential Spokesman Salvador Pa­nelo na nagsabi ring ang pakikipag-usap ni Robredo at paghingi ng advice sa mga foreign institution at mga personalidad na humusga na sa kampanya ng administrasyong Duterte kontra ilegal na droga ay hindi maaaring balewalain.

Ito rin aniya ang dahilan kung bakit hindi binigyan ng cabinet rank ni ­Pangulong Rodrigo Duterte si Robredo bilang drug czar.

“The Vice President talking with – and seeking the advice of — certain foreign institutions and personalities that have prejudged the campaign against illegal drugs as a violation of human rights, as well as a crime against humanity, did not sit well with the President,” wika ni Panelo.

“The VP’s actions are all documented in mainstream and social media. These missteps not only derailed PRRD’s well-meaning intent for the Vice President to be part of the Administration, but registered red signs that could not be ignored. Ms. Robredo’s insistence on getting access to classified information, a revelation of which could imperil the welfare of the Filipino people and the security of the State, added to PRRD’s reconsideration of his earlier desire to appoint her in the Cabinet,” sabi pa ni Panelo.

“Her requests for unrestricted data to help her fulfill her role is an admission that the earlier criticisms of the political opposition to which she belongs against the anti-drug operations have no factual basis,” giit ni Panelo.

“Being a member of the Cabinet gives Ms. Robredo unlimited access to sensitive State matters which if transmitted by her whether purposely or otherwise could result to adverse consequences. Especially since the VP has the tendency to be generous with acquired information and knowledge to others whose predilection may not be in the best interest of the country,” dagdag pa ni Panelo.

Ipinagtataka rin ni Pa­nelo ay kung bakit wala pa ring nailalatag na rekomendasyon si Robredo bilang drug czar bagamat dalawang linggo na siya nilang co- chair ng Inter-Agency Committee on Anti-Illegal Drugs.

Mula nang maitalagang drug czar ay hindi pa rin nakakapagpulong sina Pangulong Duterte at Robredo.

Nauna rito ay sinabi ni Panelo na iimbitahan ng Pangulo si Robredo sa meeting sa kanyang bagong trabaho bilang drug czar.

Nais ni Robredo na magkaroon ng access sa kampanya ng gobyerno kontra illegal na droga kabilang na ang listahan ng mga high value target upang magkaroon ng kabuuang pagtaya sa natu­rang problema ng bansa. EVELYN QUIROZ