VP accepts DU30’s offer to help in drugs drive
President Duterte’s offer for Vice President LeniRobredoto help head the anti-illegal drugs campaign has been accepted.
Offer and acceptance perfected, productive anti-drugs partnership expected.
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The vice president said: “If could save at least one innocent life, my principles and heart are telling me I should give this a try.”
Better to work within than to remain an outside critic, Palace Boys say. * * *
“They are asking me if I am ready for this job? My question is: Are you ready for me?” Robredo asked.
“Her acceptance shows she is smarter than her colleagues in the opposition” presidential spokesman Salvador Panelo commented.
* * * Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea said a memorandum designating Robredo to join the Inter-Agency Committee on AntiIllegal Drugs (ICAD) was signed by the President last October 31.
“Pursuant to the provisions of existing laws, rules, and regulations, you are hereby designated as the co-chairperson of the Inter-Agency Committee on Anti-illegal Drugs to lead the Government’s efforts against illegal drugs until 30 June 2022, unless sooner revoked,” the memorandum read.
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The President directed the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA), the Philippine National Police (PNP), Dangerous Drugs Board (DDB), and all other law enforcement agencies “to extend full assistance and cooperation to the Vice President to ensure the success of the government’s efforts in the war against illegal drugs.”
“We will extend our full support,” assured PDEA chief Aaron Aquino, PNP spokesman Lt. Gen. Banag and DDB head Catalino Cui.
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The President said the interagency committee on anti-illegal drugs, created via Executive Order No. 15 in 2017, is mandated to ensure the integrated and synchronized implementation of governments anti-drugs campaign.
Yes to a well-integrated antidrugs campaign to check criticism.
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Medialdeaexplained Robredo, as ICAD co-chair, would have a “proactive role” in the government’s war against illegal drugs.
“She will have a hand in crafting the policies and programs of the government and at the same time ensure the proper implementation of anti-illegal drug operations and advocacy initiatives,” he said.
* * * Roberdo, in her acceptance speech, said “I am against the killings of the innocent, I am against abuses committed by officials. He (President) knows my criticism. He knows what I plan to fix.”
Yes to a meaningful partnership and improved anti-drugs campaign for PH. * * *
Meanwhile, the government said the rate of increase in consumer prices last October further eased to its lowest level in almost three-year.
Thanks to manageable costs of food and non-alcoholic beverages, the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) said.
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The PSA pointed out that country’s headline inflation settled at 0.8 percent last month, slower than the 0.9 percent in September, and 6.7 percent in the same month last year.
October inflation was the slowest since May 2016, which posted 0.9 percent, PSA said.
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“The downtrend in the inflation in October 2019 was mainly due to the 0.9 percent annual drop registered in the heavily-weighted food and non-alcoholic beverages index,” PSA said.
Similarly, theannual rate of transport index declined further by 1.7 percent during the month, PSA added.
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The government said slower annual inflation rise was noted in the following commodity groups: housing, water, electricity, gas, and other fuels (0.6 percent); furnishing, household equipment and routine maintenance of the house (2.7 percent); and health, and restaurant and miscellaneous goods and services (both at 2.9 percent).
However, inflation rates were higher in alcoholic beverages and tobacco at 16.5 percent; and clothing and footwear at 2.8 percent.
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PSA added that in the first 10 months of this year, inflation averaged at 2.6 percent.
Well within the Duterte administration’s target of 2.0 percent to 4.0 percent, it said.
* * * Malacañang lauded the latest drop in the country’s inflation rate and vowed to continue to monitor the prices of basic commodities, especially with the approaching Christmas season.
Downtrend is due to President Duterte’s strong political will and sound economic policies, the Palace said.
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“The Office of the President is pleased to announce that, according to the Philippine Statistics Authority, inflation has further eased from 6.7 percent in October, 2018, to 0.8 percent in October 2019, which is the lowest inflation recorded since May, 2016, or during the latter part of the previous administration’s term,” Panelo said.
“This positive development is a testament to PRRD’s strong political will, together with his economic team’s sound and working macroeconomic policies and measures,” he added.
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Panelo said inflation drop should be considered as “good news to all Filipinos, especially to President Duterte’s doubters or cynics unless they see it otherwise, which would then reveal that what they are solely interested in is for this administration to fail.”