Duterte: 'Leni Robredo kin into drugs; Philippines better off with Marcos'

MANILA, Philippines — President Duterte is standing by his statement that Naga City is a hotbed of shabu, saying last night that it was the brother-in-law of Vice President Leni Robredo who brought drugs to her home province.

Speaking at the 49th Charter Day Celebration of Mandaue City in Cebu, Duterte rejected Robredo’s denial that illegal drugs are prevalent in her home province.

Duterte reiterated his attacks against Robredo as he again downplayed her capability to succeed him as president.

“(Robredo) cannot hack it,” Duterte said, saying the country would be better off with a dictator like Ferdinand Marcos as president than Robredo if illegal drugs and corruption persist.

Duterte, who previously described Marcos as “one of the brightest Filipinos,” said drugs and corruption would continue to plague the Philippines if he yields to criticism and stops his campaign.

“I said you’re better off choosing a dictator in the likes of Marcos,” Duterte said during celebrations marking the 49th Mandaue Charter Day.

Robredo had won in the shadow of her late husband, former interior secretary Jesse Robredo, who was respected for his integrity. He died in a plane crash off the shores of Masbate in August 18, 2012.

Robredo has decried Duterte’s claims that Naga City has become a hotbed of drugs. He issued the statement before business leaders at Malacañang about two weeks ago.

“That is a big slap to everyone especially those who exert efforts to rid the city of illegal drugs,” Robredo retorted.

The city council of Naga also took offense over the President’s statements, condemning him over the claims.

The Naga Council plans to file a Resolution of Indignation to condemn Duterte’s recent pronouncement that the city was a hotbed of “shabu”.

Duterte first said that Naga was a hotbed of shabu some two weeks ago when he spoke before business leaders in Malacañang.

Last night, Duterte reiterated the need to combat illegal drugs despite accusations filed against him by human rights advocates. He said he cannot allow the youth to become a slave of illegal drugs.