(Eagle News)– President Rodrigo Duterte on Thursday, Aug. 30, accused a brother-in-law of Vice President Leni Robredo of bringing the illegal drug trade to Bicol, also standing by his claim Robredo’s bailiwick, Naga, was a “shabu hotbed.”
The President did not give any names but former Naga City councilor Luis Ortega had alleged Butch Robredo, a brother of the late former Interior Secretary Jesse Robredo, had drug links.
The former Interior secretary who also served as Naga mayor is the vice president’s husband.
“Brother-in-law niya (Vice President Robredo) ang nagdala ng drugs sa Bicol. Totoo yan. Syempre denial,” the President said.
Earlier, the vice president denied Duterte’s claim, and asked her critics to focus on her instead and to “spare” Naga.
In his speech, Duterte also belittled the vice president’s leadership qualities anew.
He said he preferred the likes of Senator Francis Escudero and former Senator Bongbong Marcos, or a military junta as his replacement, and not the incumbent vice president.
Earlier, the President said he might step down if Marcos won his electoral protest against the vice president.