Vice President Leni Robredo on Sunday said she would publicly release her report on the drug war of the Duterte administration in late December or in January.
“If it can be done in December, we will do so. But if not, if the tragedy is not yet over, may be in early January, after the New Year,” she said.
Robredo said she has to defer her plan to disclose her findings in her three-week stint as co-chairperson of the Interagency Committee on Anti-Illegal Drugs (ICAD) due to the rescue and response operations when Davao City was hit by a magnitude 6.9 earthquake.
“Many would want us to release the report (on Dec. 16). But we cannot do as if we do not have empathy on the victims (of the quake) who badly need help,” she said.
The Palace earlier dared the Vice President to release her report at the soonest time possible.
”What’s taking her so long? As the President said, ‘Bring it on, whatever you want to come out with,’” Presidential Spokesman Salvador Panelo had 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, although 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 had 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, Aquino said 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.