By Hannah Torregoza
Vice President Leni Robredo's report on President Duterte's war on drugs is "well-researched, data-driven and completely objective," opposition Senator Leila de Lima said on Tuesday.
Senator Leila de Lima
(REUTERS / ROMEO RANOCO / FILE PHOTO MANILA BULLETIN) Defending Robredo against critics, De Lima said that as far as she is concerned, the vice president was able to use existing government data and based her conclusions on credible authorities and accounts. "Her further statements and responses during the presscon yesterday reveal a deep grasp of the real drug situation, including the gaps and shortcomings in the bureaucratic structures and strategies," De Lima said in her latest statement. "Her proposed directions henceforth are well thought of and doable. Credible and convincing report. VP Leni certainly knows what she’s talking about," the detained senator said. On Monday, Robredo, who had a short-lived stint as co-chair of the Inter-Agency Committee on Anti-Illegal Drugs (ICAD) last year, said the Duterte administration's ongoing war on drugs is a failure, giving it a score of "one over 100." In her report, Robredo noted how the government focused on street-level enforcement than supply constriction, saying authorities should have been resolute in going after big-time illegal drug suppliers. "It is hypocritical of Panelo to dismiss VP Leni because she didn’t take part in any ground operations during her 18-day stint when not even the President did so in all of his 3 ½ years in office," the detained senator said. (Hannah Torregoza)
Senator Leila de Lima(REUTERS / ROMEO RANOCO / FILE PHOTO MANILA BULLETIN) Defending Robredo against critics, De Lima said that as far as she is concerned, the vice president was able to use existing government data and based her conclusions on credible authorities and accounts. "Her further statements and responses during the presscon yesterday reveal a deep grasp of the real drug situation, including the gaps and shortcomings in the bureaucratic structures and strategies," De Lima said in her latest statement. "Her proposed directions henceforth are well thought of and doable. Credible and convincing report. VP Leni certainly knows what she’s talking about," the detained senator said. On Monday, Robredo, who had a short-lived stint as co-chair of the Inter-Agency Committee on Anti-Illegal Drugs (ICAD) last year, said the Duterte administration's ongoing war on drugs is a failure, giving it a score of "one over 100." In her report, Robredo noted how the government focused on street-level enforcement than supply constriction, saying authorities should have been resolute in going after big-time illegal drug suppliers. "It is hypocritical of Panelo to dismiss VP Leni because she didn’t take part in any ground operations during her 18-day stint when not even the President did so in all of his 3 ½ years in office," the detained senator said. (Hannah Torregoza)