Vice President Leni Robredo appointment: A win-win situation

The appointment of Vice President Leni Robredo must be seen in its proper perspective. It came after President Duterte practically admitted that his promise to end the drug problem had miserably failed. Early this year, in April, 2019, in a rally in Malabon, he said that “it even intensified.” He stressed that whereas before, drugs were in the “thousands,” now they were in “billions.” Failing to curb the problem within his promised six months from becoming President, he unilaterally extended the period to another six months and, perhaps sensing failure again, he finally said he will fight drugs up to the end of his term.

Then came VP Leni Robredo’s appointment as co-chairperson of the Inter-Agency Committee of the Anti-Illegal Drugs effective up to June, 2020. For sure, VP Leni will do her utmost best in solving the problem. Expectations must, however, be tempered. Remember: President Duterte, who has all the powers, influence, prerogatives of the whole government machinery at his disposal to stop the drug menace, still failed. He was unable to deliver on his election-promise big time.

VP Leni Robredo was appointed as co-head of a mere agency with narrow departmental powers. A position that does not even rise to the level of a cabinet secretary. Unlike President Duterte who, despite his awesome authority, foundered in his drug war, Vice President Leni Robredo is not the commander in chief of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, not the civilian head of the Philippine National Police, not the premier political leader of the land, not the government’s chief foreign affairs architect, has no control of all executive departments, bureaus, and offices, is without authority to supervise local governments, cannot declare martial law, and is devoid of huge intelligence funds comparable to the President’s. In addition to all these, VP Leni Robredo’s plans or their implementation can be technically stalled by the dynamics of having a co-chairperson. They can also ultimately be vetoed by the President. Vice President Leni Robredo can only do so much. Her leadership faces potential hard and maybe even insurmountable obstacles, whether intentionally or unwittingly, placed in her way.

And yet she accepted the challenge and said that she will not dwell so much on pinpointing the reason why the problem worsened but rather, she would concentrate on forging ahead searching and finding solutions which do not not include extra-judicial killings. Though a good start, she should realize that, in knowing the problem’s causes, one can better understand the situationwhich, in turn, can pave the way to a more intelligent formulation of the most effective solutions.

There is no question that the Vice President has all the energy and the passion to take on the task. But the real question is not about her demeanor and abilities but how sincere the present administration is in making the appointment. Even if it says that no politics is involved, only a naïve person will totally believe that. Our history tells us that politics always comes into play. It is inevitable that whatever progress, big or small, the vice president may achieve will be met by a pullingdown effort by many in the administration together with its allies in Congress.

And so the challenge is actually on President Rodrigo Duterte. Can he reign in his allies, supporters, and fanatics so that they will not unduly demonize Vice President Leni Robredo picturing her as inept even before she does anything or during those times when she is actually and effectively working? Can they truly give authentic full support? Even prior to the vice president’s designation? We already heard Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency Chief Aaron Aquino publicly saying that he believes the vice president will fail for her non-experience. That is definitely a pre-judgment.

On the part of President Duterte himself, will his so-called noninterference be applicable only to the Vice President’s acts agreeable to him and not to those which can directly put into direct accountability his management of the drug war? That remains to be seen.

But whatever the outcome, accepting the job is a win-win situation for Vice President Leni Robredo. The mettle of this woman is manifest. She is courageous and ready to take on the task of a president despite the limitations and the constraints. She is a presidential timber regardless of the result. This is the time for all the Filipino people of whatever persuasion to rally behind this brave and inspiring lady. There is no other choice. She gives us hope.