After being criticized once again by President Rodrigo Duterte, Vice President Leni Robredo on Friday said it would be better if the President would use his podium and his power to address pressing Philippine problems.

On Thursday, the President remarked that the Philippines would be better off with a dictator like “Marcos” rather than a leader like Robredo.

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READ: Duterte: PH better off with dictator like Marcos than leader like Robredo

In a speech in Cebu, the President said, “If I stop now my crusade against drugs and if there no order in this place, Philippines and corruption will continue, we’re dead. I said you’re better off with a dictator in the likes of Marcos. That is what I suggested. You can have constitutional succession, it’s Robredo. But she cannot hack it.”

In a statement, Robredo responded by saying, “I’d still prefer that he focus on the many important matters that he needs to address—as rising prices continue to make life difficult for our fellow Filipinos, especially for those in need.”

“Perhaps he can use his podium to assure the people that he is on top of these problems—and to use his power to intervene when his appointed officials struggle to come up with coherent solutions to the rising prices of rice and other basic commodities,” the Vice President said.

Robredo branded Duterte’s allegations as “recycled rants” that are being used to distract the public’s attention from the country’s problems.

“The allegations made by the President are recycled rants conveniently used to deflect attention from the failures of this administration.”

“Perhaps instead of constantly repeating this ridiculous allegation, and throwing mud on the name of a city that thrives on good governance — and that staunchly supports the call to fight illegal drugs—he can turn his attention to the P6.8-billion shabu shipment that slipped past his customs officials,” she suggested.

Glorifying a dictator

Meanwhile, Robredo also lamented how Duterte was “glorifying” a dictator like the late President Ferdinand Marcos.

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“Instead of continuing to glorify a dictator who stole billions from our country, drove the nation into debt, and presided over the murder and imprisonment of thousands of Filipinos, he can work on truly unifying the nation, and assuring our people, especially those at the fringes, that their voices are being heard and that their daily suffering will soon be eased,” Robredo said.

Earlier on Friday, Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque defended Duterte, saying that his preference for Marcos is just his personal opinion.

“Well, maybe, that’s just the personal belief of the President that almost anyone can be better than the Vice President […] With all due respect to the Vice President, that’s a personal assessment made by the President,” Roque added. /vvp

READ: Palace: PH better off with dictator like Marcos is just Duterte’s ‘personal belief’

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