MANILA, Philippines – A Liberal Party (LP) congressman has welcomed “with cautious optimism” the acceptance of Vice President Leni Robredo on President Rodrigo Duterte’s offer for her service as co-chair of the Inter-Agency Committee on Anti-Illegal Drugs (ICAD).

LP secretary-general and Quezon City Representative Jose Christopher “Kit” Belmonte told reporters saying “we approach this development with cautious optimism and with great pride in the courage and sincerity of our Party Chairperson.”

He and his fellow LP lawmakers were no longer surprised, according to Belmonte, that Robredo would accept the appointment because of her desire to serve the people.

He added that the Vice President would never withdraw from any obligation that would allow her to improve the lives of people.

“Kami man, may agam-agam. We know that there are those who might go against the direction she might set. Alam naming maaaring hindi ipatupad ang kanyang mga atas. Alam namin na maaaring para sa administrasyon, pulitika lang lahat ito,” Belmonte said.

“But VP Leni does not play high politics with the lives of our people. We know that her sincerity overcame her own doubts, and it overcomes ours. Kung seryoso ang administrasyon, alam naming mas seryoso si VP Leni na tumulong,” he added.

Robredo announced at this afternoon’s press conference that she accepted the president’s position offered to her.

Belmonte hopes that she will be given the tools and authority to serve since Robredo accepted the offer.

“If she is given the tools and is empowered by the administration, we can now altogether prove: The war on drugs can be part of the war against poverty— and not a war against poor people,” he said. (Marian Andrei Sinamban/IAMIGO/CNS)