Senator Bato Dela Rosa said the decision of Vice President Leni Robredo to accept the offer of President Duterte to be part of the government’s war on drugs is a welcome development as he expressed optimism that it will bolster the success of such efforts to rid the country of illegal drugs.
In a press briefing, Dela Rosa said Robredo, as the second top official of the land, could buttress the administration’s anti-drug campaign as he also thanked the Vice President for accepting the challenge.
“I am very optimistic the war on drugs will be more successful with her on board.”
“I am so happy na tinanggap niya (VP Robredo), isipin mo number 2 highest official of the country sumama sa ating war on drugs so I am so happy,” Dela Rosa said.
“I am very optimistic na mas lalong magiging successful ang ating war on drugs with her on board dahil additional perspective yan on the war on drugs,” the legislator continued.
When asked on his expectations, the lawmaker refused to comment considering that he does not have personal knowledge on Robredo’s capabilities and expertise.
“Expectations? I don’t really know her very well, hindi ko alam yung kanyang expertise, hindi ko alam yung capabilities niya but really from the bottom of my heart I thank her for joining in this fight,” the senator stressed.
Dela Rosa, who led the Duterte government’s anti-war campaign since day one on his capacity as the national police chief, added that Robredo should be tough enough in facing the problem. He also advised the Vice President to give it her best shot.
“She has to be tough… you look at the problem not as a political problem tingnan mo ito as a social problem dahil pag pinasukan ng pulitika, magkakawindang-windang yan,” Dela Rosa said.
“This is not a war of President Duterte alone, this is not a war of the administration alone.”
“Nandyan na siya, she joined the war, she joined the fight, so ibigay na niya lahat. Ibuhos na niya, this is not a war of President Duterte alone, this is not a war of the administration alone kung hindi war ito ng buong sambayanang Pilipino, at ang makikinabang dito ang buong sambayanang Pilipino kapag tayo ay nananalo sa gyera na ito,” he further explained.
A day after Malacañang issued a memorandum appointing her as the co-chairperson of the Inter-Agency Committee on Anti-Illegal Drugs (ICAD), Robredo has finally acceded.
The Vice President will be sharing her tasks with Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) chief Aaron Aquino who also serves as ICAD co-chair.