Vice President Leni Robredo on Monday postponed the release of her “discoveries” on the war on drugs of the Duterte administration.
Malacañang fretted over her decision.
“What‘s taking her so long? As the President said, “Bring it on, whatever you want to come out with,” Presidential Spokesman Salvador Panelo said.
“It is difficult to release something you don’t have and if you are thinking what would you release. That will really take a long time.”
Meanwhile, though he felt awkward working with Robredo as co-chairman of the Inter-agency Committee on Anti-illegal Drugs, Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency director general Aaron Aquino said he had all the respect for her.
He said contrary to Robredo’s statement that he was supportive in private but dismissive in front of the media, he was the one who advised her to meet the four ICAD clusters one by one to better understand the committee.
“If you remember, I was even the one who asked the VP to join in one of our operations during the first ICAD meeting with the VP last Nov. 8 at her office in Quezon City, and for her to have a full understanding of what the law enforcers are doing,” he said.
Robredo declined to read her 40-page report, saying such disclosure was not appropriate after a powerful earthquake rocked Davao City.
“I beg off to defer it. It is not the right timing. We still have some other time. It would be best if we focused on helping our fellowmen,” she said.
“We can release it anytime, but I think we have to be as one now and help one another pray for our fellowmen in Davao and Cotabato.”
A magnitude-6.9 earthquake hit Davao City and some other parts of Mindanao on Sunday at 2:11 p.m.
Robredo asked the public to donate tents, drinking water and generators to the local government to help those affected by the tremor.
On Nov. 24, the President sacked Robredo as ICAD co-chairman, but despite her removal, she said she would still publicly release her findings and recommendations on the anti-drug campaign of the President.
She said she would release her discoveries after the 30th Southeast Asian Games. With MJ Blancaflor