I will work with those who want to cooperate –Robredo

Keeping her calm demeanor, Vice President and drug czar Leni Robredo would rather let President Duterte handle the uncooperative member agencies of the government’s task force against illegal drugs.

“I don’t want to waste my time on those who don’t want to cooperate. I will work with those who want to cooperate,” Robredo, co-chair of the Inter-agency Committee on Anti-Illegal Drugs (ICAD), said.

Duterte appointed Robredo to ICAD after her comment that the anti-narcotics campaign is not working. He has yet to meet with Robredo since her appointment.

The Vice President co-chairs the anti-drug body with Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) chief Aaron Aquino.

But more than a week into her new job, Robredo found herself left out due to some ICAD agencies’ apparent mistrust and resentment for her to obtain sensitive information such as the list of high-value targets.

Robredo said she would not dwell on these uncooperative agencies, and would rather work hard to fulfill her tasks as a leader of the anti-illegal drugs campaign.

“If the agency is not cooperative, that's not my fault. Despite the limitations and attempts to hinder me, I will do my job,” Robredo, who is also the chair of the opposition Liberal Party, said.

Robredo said it was up to the Chief Executive to deal with these agencies under ICAD.

“The order of the President is to give me a chance, the agencies should cooperate. If they don’t cooperate, it is up to them. I was designated as ICAD co-chairman. I didn’t ask for it,” she said.

While she assured she won’t jeopardize the campaign by revealing classified information, Robredo underscored the importance of transparency to keep the people informed.

“Transparency is important because this exacts accountability on officials. If we hide everything, how can we hold accountable those who don’t do their jobs and those who are corrupt?” she said.

The lady official said she believed that the law enforcement agencies were not hiding anything about the anti-drug campaign.

“The DILG (Department of Interior and Local Government) is doing a great work here. I think they are not hiding anything,” she said in Filipino.