Robredo can comment on other agenda in Cabinet meeting, Palace says

November 14, 2019

Vice President Leni Robredo can give comments regarding other agenda in the Cabinet meeting apart from the government's campaign against illegal drugs, Malacanang said on Thursday.

In a press briefing, Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo, however, said it would be the option of any Cabinet member to attend the Cabinet meeting especially if the agenda would not pertain to his or her tasks.

"When we have a Cabinet meeting, we are invited by the CabSec (Cabinet Secretary) and we are asked if we are going or not. In other words, it's optional for us to attend, because it it's not your topic there, you'll have to stay there for the rest of the meeting until wee hours of the morning," he said when asked if Robredo is only allowed to attend a Cabinet meeting if one of the agenda is about drugs.

"If you're (agency) is not part of the agenda, it may be happier if you're not going to attend anymore. That's why I said you should be thankful, you will only go there if it's your topic," he added.

Duterte has yet to invite Robredo for a meeting since she accepted early this month the offer to be a co-chairperson of the Inter-agency Committee on Anti-Illegal Drugs, with the rank of cabinet member.

Further asked if Robredo could give her comments on other agenda in the Cabinet meeting aside from illegal drugs, Panelo said, "It does not mean that since you are not in the Cabinet meeting, you cannot comment."

"Because there is a transcript for that and that is given to all members of the Cabinet. So if you feel like commenting on any topic, you can do that," he said.

He said Robredo can issue a statement or "make a memorandum addressed to whom so ever you want." Celerina Monte/DMS