MANILA, Philippines (The Adobo Chronicles, Manila Bureau) – Arguing that she needed more powers to be able to solve the country’s illegal drug problem, Vice President Leni Robredo asked Malacanang to appoint her — concurrently — to other Cabinet and agency posts.

Robredo, who has just been appointed Co-chair of the Inter-agency Committee on Anti-Illegal Drugs (ICAD), wants to be appointed Secretary of the Department of Interior and Local Governments (DILG), Secretary of Foreign Affairs (DFA), Secretary of Justice (DOJ) and Chief of the Philippine National Police (PNP).

In justifying her request, the Vice President said that as Drug Czar, she needs to be in full control of DILG so that the war on drugs can be effectively waged on the local level.  As PNP Chief, she says she’ll be able to order all police officers to stop the “EJKs.”  The prosecution of drug lords can only be pursued if she were to be appointed DOJ Secretary, she added.

Why Secretary of Foreign Affairs?  She said she needs the proper diplomatic portfolio to be able to allow the United Nations to investigate the EJKs and other  violations of Human Rights connected with the Philippines’ drug war.

Robredo seems very serious in her new role as Drug Czar.  She says if given all the needed powers, she can solve the drug problem in less than three months.