MANILA – Vice President Leni Robredo chided on Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo after the latter criticized her for “not knowing” President Rodrigo Duterte’s policy on China.
Robredo on Sunday said she reacted based on what Duterte said in his speeches – which is becoming a policy.
“Tayo, hindi lang basta kumontra, pero sinisiguro natin na bilang lingkod-bayan, mayroon tayong obligasyon na kapag may masamang pahayag o may masamang nangyayari, kailangan tayong magboses. Kahit pa sila magalit sa atin,” Robredo added.
“Klaro iyong transcript, lumabas ito sa lahat na pahayagan. Hindi ito parang tsinambahan natin. Bago tayo naglabas ng pahayag, tiningnan natin iyong lahat na transcript, at klarong-klaro iyong sinabi ng Pangulo,” she said.
“Ngayon hinihimas, hinihimas ng presidential spokesperson,” Robredo said. “Kung hindi iyon iyong gustong sabihin, dapat sana hindi sinabi. ‘Di ba? Kasi kapag sinabi mo, kapag pahayag ng Pangulo, policy na iyan ng bansa, eh.”
Last Thursday, Robredo questioned Duterte’s statement wherein he said he planned to “ignore” the Philippines’ arbitral victory against China’s expansive claims in the South China Sea for the sake of “economic activity.”
In response, Panelo on Friday derided Robredo’s advisers and what he called Robredo’s “nitpicking.” He said Duterte wanted to focus on exploring something that would benefit the people while the administration engages with China in negotiations./PN
