Bong Go: PRRD simply lost trust in Robredo as ICAD co-chair

Senator Christopher Lawrence "Bong" Go said on Monday, November 25, that the main reason President Rodrigo Duterte fired Vice President Leni Robredo as co-chair of the Inter-Agency Committee on Anti-Illegal Drugs (ICAD) is that he has lost trust in her.

"Walang tiwala si Pangulong Duterte," Go told reporters in an interview at the Senate. "Imbes na makatulong (si Robredo) sa kampanya sa iligal na droga, mas lalong binubulabog," he added.

Go explained that Robredo had been working against instead of cooperating with the administration. "Lahat ng ginagawa ng administrasyon, mali (para sa kanya). Papaano mo pagkakatiwalaan 'yung mga pumoposisyong oposisyon at bibigyan mo ng napakasensitibong trabaho bilang ICAD chair?"

He said that Robredo has been too keen on sharing information with other countries. "Maraming sensitibong impormasyon na nandiyan na aalamin mo, tapos ipapasa mo ngayon sa ibang bansa. Mako-compromise mo ngayon 'yung mga law enforcers at saka 'yung mga nagtatrabaho labanan ang iligal na droga."

Go shared that the President expected Robredo to continue the efforts of the administration but she did the opposite. "82% na ang sumasang-ayon sa kampanya laban sa droga, pero marami siyang naririnig, so ibinigay niya po ang offer kay Vice President Leni na subukan ang trabaho. Instead na ipagpatuloy 'yung tokhang ay puro po talk lang ang nangyari."

Go also said that Senator Francis "Kiko" Pangilinan's statement may have also contributed to the President's decision. Pangilinan recently dared the President to fire Robredo as co-chair of ICAD.

"Hiningi po ito ng isang kapwa ko senador. Sabi niya, 'Kung wala naman kayong tiwala kay Leni, you fire her.' So sinunod lang ng Pangulo ang payo ni Senator Kiko Pangilinan. Hiningi nila, so ibinigay ng Pangulo," Go said.

He also recalled that Robredo acted the same way when she was appointed by the President as chair of the Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council. "Imbes na tulungan niya si Pangulong Duterte, they positioned themselves as opposition, so nagkaroon po tayo ng opposition. Ayaw sana ituring ni Pangulong Duterte na opposition sila. Gusto niya magtulungan tayo para sa ating bansa. Sila po mismo ang nag-position as opposition."

In the same interview, Go said that he chose not to go with the President to the ASEAN-Korea Commemorative Summit because he wants to prioritize his work in the Senate. "Bagama't imbitado ako, may trabaho po ako bilang isang senador at kailangan natin tapusin ang budget.

"Isa din sa priority ni Pangulong Duterte na pumasa ang budget this year at huwag na po maulit 'yung nakaraang taon na nagkaroon tayo ng re-enacted budget. Malaki pong kawalan sa gobyerno at sa bawat Pilipino kapag ang serbisyong maibibigay sa kanila eh mawawala dahil re-enacted ang budget."