Robredo camp: No formal notice from Duterte of dismissal from anti-drug body
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, November 25) — The camp of Vice President Leni Robredo on Monday hit the Duterte administration for its failure to inform her that she has been fired from her post as anti-drug czar.
Vice Presidential Spokesperson Barry Gutierrez said his counterpart, Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo, opted to broadcast it to the media on Sunday instead of letting Robredo know first.
“No formal notice AFAIK [as far as I know]. Panelo, as usual, announced to media without the courtesy of directly informing the Vice President,” Gutierrez said.
Panelo argued that a letter to let Robredo know that Duterte has fired her as co-chair of the Inter-Agency Committee on Anti-Illegal Drugs is no longer necessary because it is simply a formality.
“Every presidential appointee stays in office at the pleasure of the President. VP Leni need not wait for that. She has been relieved of her duties as Co-Chair of ICAD effective immediately,” he said.
The presidential spokesperson added, “Per ES [Executive Secretary], a formal letter is forthcoming for her record and for posterity for others.”
President Rodrigo Dutert fired Vice President Leni Robredo from her post as anti-drug czar on Sunday, just two weeks after her appointment.
Robredo’s firing came amid stiff opposition from the Duterte administration, including her fellow ICAD members, over her request for access to a list of high-value drug targets.
Duterte had previously said he would fire Robredo if she discloses confidential information to foreign individuals.
In her two weeks as ICAD co-chair, Robredo has met with United Nations (UN) and US officials, several national and local government bodies, and members of the private sector and religious groups to consult them on how to move forward with the campaign against drugs.
