Robredo’s Dare Was Called By Duterte According To Panelo
PANELO – Presidential spokesperson Salvador Panelo stated that President Rodrigo Duterte simply called Vice President Leni Robredo’s dare to fire her from the drug czar post.
Recently, the President sacked VP Robredo as the co-chairperson of the committee on anti-illegal drugs. The Malacañang Palace confirmed that Robredo has been removed weeks after Duterte offered the position to her.
Following this, Panelo made a statement regarding the matter. He told reporters that the President was merely calling Robredo’s dare after he said that he doesn’t trust the Vice President post-appointment.
Based on a report from ABS-CBN, Panelo also said that the President made the order following Sen. Francis Pangilinan saying that he should just fire Robredo rather than insulting her.
During his press briefing, however, the Presidential Spokesperson denied that the admin was unprepared for Robredo taking up the post. He added that rather than criticizing the drug war she should’ve given an alternative instead.
Afterward, the spokesperson emphasized that Robredo had an opportunity to prove her self. However, he said that she blew that opportunity.
“Meron na siya pagkakataon, she blew it,”
Salvador Panelo
During her stint as the drug czar, Robredo asked for the list of high-priority figures in the drug war. But, she was denied by the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA).
The director-general of PDEA stated that the list was simply beyond the vice president’s mandate. Adding to this, the admin had previously stated that Robredo is on a “need-to-know” basis.
At the press briefing, Panelo also denied that the President apologized to Robredo. He said that he talked to Duterte himself about the apology.
Panelo added that it was during their conversation that the President decided to fire Robredo from her post as drug czar.
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