Update: Robredo is Housing Secretary. http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/794933/hello-maam-leni-duterte-offers-robredo-housing-post-via-phone-call
Gil Ramos, who monitors what’s going on in the Philippines, especially political happenings from the United States where he is based, wrote me his view that it is better that Vice President Leni Robredo is not part of the Duterte cabinet.
In fact, I cannot understand, the fuss by the Mar Roxas- Leni Robredo supporters about the VP not being appointed to a cabinet position. The President is not obliged to give Robredo a cabinet post and he has already explained why — he is concerned about the feelings of Ferdinand Marcos, Jr, the closest opponent of Robredo. There are other reasons like the friendship of his father to late president, Ferdinand Marcos, as well as the support of the Marcoses to him last election.
Duterte is planning to give Marcos a cabinet position after the one-year ban on candidates who lost in the last May elections and it would indeed be awkward for Robredo and Marcos to be working together under Duterte.
As pointed out by many commentators, the only job of Robredo under the law is to be fit and ready if and when the president is removed from office, either by impeachment or by death.
Ramos said Robredo has a job waiting for her: be the leader of the political opposition which has been decimated by the formation of the supermajority that is aligned with the Duterte administration.
Ramos said here are some things that Robredo can do:
1. As leader of the opposition review the good things about Daang Matuwid and defend it in the national debate.
2. Look at the charges being levelled against plain citizen and former president Noynoy Aquino and defend him to hilt.
3. During Mar’s and your campaign you were critical of the shift to a Federal System. Duterte is moving towards that – so it is your job to point out the possible pitfalls of the move towards Federalism.
4. The BUB bottoms up budgeting is under review – this is the product of Daang KMatuwid which you run on. Join the debate and argue with Budget Secretary Ben Diokno on why BUB is correct and good for the nation.
5. There were last minute moves done by the Aquino government. For example there were last minute promulgations that Kim Henares made in the BIR which are now being reversed by the new BIR commissioner. Why are you so silent? Together with Kim Henares you should tell the nation why the last moves of the BIR commissioner were good for the nation.
Ramos said the control and execution of the executive department is Duterte’s job not Robredo’s including alleviating the poor’s plight which she has professed to be her concern. “Wait until Duterte dies or is impeached and the job will be yours. The minuscule monies you have in your VP budget is small compared to what Duterte controls so your efforts will just be seen as ‘also ran’ and ‘me too’ efforts intended only for public relations imaging without real effect. Pa epal lang,” he said.
Setting aside the allegations of fraud as contained in the electoral protest of Marcos, Ramos reminded Robredo that those who voted for her did so as a balancing factor to Duterte and “ not as a ‘yes VP’ so eager to join and please and be at the good graces of Duterte.”
“ Be true to this mandate as a ‘check and balance’ factor and stop your followers from begging for a position for you in the Cabinet,” he said.
Ramos concluded: “ So you see — this genuine role for you would mean you become the true leader of the opposition. And of course Duterte would be crazy to appoint you to a Cabinet position – like he needs it as a bullet hole in the head.”
Sayang lang ang boto kay aleng Leni, mas gustong sumepsep kay PDutz kesa sa mag-lead ng opposition, takot e!
An interesting topic. I suspect VP Robredo will not heed the advice because she does not see that she is a political player first, and a servant of the people second. She believes her first priority is to do good deeds, and she can’t do that if she is locked into a political battle with the President.
The opposition needs to come from those with political goals first, which can be from legislators, who seem mainly concerned about politics first and the people second, or from those outside of government (Aquino, Robredo).
Our current government is taking everything to the extreme, thus now more than ever we need a strong opposition that will bring everyone to the practical middle. We need good governance more than destructive shortcuts, we need people to be more strategic than thinking only of how to deliver on unrealistic promises made during elections. I really do hope Leni picks up this role with as much heart and passion as she showed during elections.
VP Leni is a good and intelligent leader. It will be best to follow her conscience and serve the Filipino People who were very close to her heart, rather than restrained by political ideals of different parties.
You can only lead the Strong Opposition if you do not belong to the Govt, but Leni was elected as the Next in Line to the Highest office of the land..She must work with the Government for the betterment of the Electorate who elected her to the Office..
i wonder how can leni work with the govt when she is not in it. the vp is not a govt in itself but an office with no mandate but to wait for the president to be incapacitated.
Perhaps that is one reason why in majority of nations all over the world, the VP or Deputy Head of Govt always belong to the Party in Govt or the Unelected Running mate of the head of the Govt… That the oppositions are the parties or politicians that belong to the party or parties other than the Party or politicians running the Govt.
The good illustration of this is there will be no GMA who will be working for the ouster of her President so she can take over or a Leni just waiting on the wing, without any work to do, for Duterte to vacate the Presidency which ever way to get in a very shortcut way.
This system may also needs some review to end this never ending non working relationship among top Leaders. Good topics for the media and gossipers but not so good for the people who voted for these leaders.
Kudos to President Duterte for giving VP Robredo a cabinet position that is exactly to her strength, housing.
I think opposition to extra-judicial murders, the death penalty, and reducing the age of criminality is developing within the legislature. One week in and some of the more controversial plans or actions are getting push-back.
Democracy in the Philippines is healthy.
now that leni had been offered and accepted the position, the leni question is closed and digong at least showed he can change. it is quite good to wait and see before judging too fast.
it may have been the persistent tanong ng tanong ng taumbayan that made digong reconsider leni. ang kukulit ng mga tao, panay tanong kung bakit, bakit, bakit walang alok na trabaho para kay leni. people put considerable pressure and as a result, the pressure bears fruit: meron ng job offer si leni.
had people kept quite and go with the flow, leni would have missed out. it’s nice too for digong to acquiesce and reconsider.
From Gil Ramos:
Congratulations VP Leni!
And I sincerely wish you success in efforts to solve the Philippine Housing problem for the sake of the nation.
Some people like me would have preferred that someone of your stature lead the loyal opposition. But this is not not be.
In a cold political calculus, voices in your favor may have prevailed in the inner circle of the President. And I am in agreement with them that your coming into the Cabinet is a definite plus for the Duterte government. The move has the double effect of decimating the opposition further and also keeps you busy and avoids or mitigates your being dragged into mischievous and extralegal adventures being hatched against President Duterte. Furthermore it throws a gauntlet for you to prove yourself. If you suceed famously President Duterte gets another feather on his cap for a wonderful statemanlike decision that promotes national cohesion which also redounds to the nation’s benefit. If you fail notoriously – then the President and his men could say that you and your supporters were given your wishes and all the chances – but you still failed and so you just have your own self to blame. SO I wish you success and all the best but advice you just the same to proceed with eyes that are open very wide.
The debate about you being the Cabinet or not should now be laid to rest. The rest of the Duterte team (even those who have misgivings about your coming into the Cabinet) should now warmly emb race you and work with you wholeheartedly for the Filipino people’s common good.
Again, Wishing you the best.