Vicious pest

“The yellows, never believe them, all they are capable of are lies” was President Rodrigo Duterte’s warning that went with the caution he issued about becoming reckless amid the continuing threat from the coronavirus disease.

While health protocols are being loosened, the President said citizens, particularly in Metro Manila, should maintain their vigilance against infection.

Mr. Duterte, however, said he understands the public’s yearning to resume normal life if not for the obvious partisan potshots from Vice President Leni Robredo.

The grumblings of Robredo were obviously timed for the marking of the 48th anniversary of the martial law declaration and were intended for the public to make a comparison between the administrations of Mr. Duterte and former President Ferdinand Marcos.

Of course, Robredo’s hold to her current post is tenuous, since her mandate has been questionable from the start, as allegations of Liberal Party-induced automated rigging of the 2016 polls hounded her.

In a self-serving statement, she said the public should “push back against the lies” of those associated with the Marcos dictatorship, warning that failing to do so would leave Filipinos “divided and vulnerable to abuse.”

In her obscure radio program, Robredo also noted that the administration had been flip-flopping on the campaign against the coronavirus disease.

Robredo advised the President to do more in containing the disease, citing the need for “medical and non-medical” solutions, which means nothing in itself.

Moreover, the VP took seriously Mr. Duterte’s sarcastic remark about spraying Metro Manila with pesticide in response to her broadsides.

Her response was purely idiotic, stressing the President’s proposal will not be the solution to the health crisis.

In trying to take political advantage of the President’s statement, Robredo came out as a halfwit.

Somebody may have to point out to the VP that Mr. Duterte’s statement was made out of exasperation over her useless diatribes.

Instead of nitpicking the President, which is a feat which sums up her achievements thus far, Robredo should go out and do something worthwhile for the government which pays for her upkeep.

Mr. Duterte had reached out to her and considered the VP’s counsel when he believed that she’s sober from bouts of too much politicking.

Robredo was even given the role of anti-narcotics czarina, but promptly blew her chance after running to her foreign patrons, bringing along sensitive documents that compromised the war on drugs when it was almost won.

Drug syndicates, instead, got a reprieve from the hiatus as a result of the commotion Robredo created.

Now that the war on drugs is back on track, the allegation of summary executions and the like from the VP and her foreign allies is back.

Suggestions are rife about drug cartels having an indecent alliance with those seeking to oust Mr. Duterte and install Robredo in his stead.

Now that the campaign against the blight is producing favorable results, here comes Robredo again, firing away on cue as if somebody unleashed her from her collar.

Mr. Duterte’s mention of insecticide was obviously meant for Robredo to shoo the irrelevant vicious pest (VP) away.

“Now that the campaign against the blight is producing favorable results, here comes Robredo again, firing away on cue as if somebody unleashed her from her collar.

“Moreover, the VP took seriously Mr. Duterte’s sarcastic remark about spraying Metro Manila with pesticide in response to her broadsides.