STATEMENT OF SEN. WIN GATCHALIAN ON VP ROBREDO AS CO-CHAIR OF INTER-AGENCY BODY VS ILLEGAL DRUGS

The offer of President Rodrigo Duterte to Vice President Leni Robredo as co-chairperson of the Inter-Agency Committee on Anti-Illegal Drugs (ICAD) is a welcome development since we can now see the President and Vice President working together to rid the country of illegal drugs, a priority measure of the administration.

This is a good opporutnity for all parties concerned to set aside political differences to achieve a common goal.

I have full trust and confidence on the Vice President that she can carry out this new mandate amid malicious and undeserved criticisms on her person in the past.

I also commend the President for directing the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA), the Philippine National Police, Dangerous Drugs Board (DDB) and other law enforcement agencies to extend their full assistance and cooperation to the Vice Presdient to ensure the success of this government's efforts in the war against illegal drugs.