SENATOR Leila de Lima backed the plan of Vice President Maria Leonor ‘Leni’ Robredo to pursue a comprehensive war on drugs if she wins the presidency.

De Lima, a social justice and human rights champion, said she believes that Robredo is more than capable of correcting the wrongs and restoring dignity in the enforcement of the drug war with her rights-based and holistic approach.

“VP Leni knows that it is impossible to eradicate the drug problem through violence and killings, not only because other countries that resorted to killings did not succeed, but also because she’s seen firsthand how Duterte’s bloody drug war that victimized innocent lives has become a dismal failure,” she said.

“I am confident that with VP Leni’s leadership, we can win the fight against illegal drugs because she has the courage, unlike Duterte, to pounce on the real drug lords, their cohorts and protectors. More importantly, she will focus on saving lives and pursuing justice,” the senator added.

Robredo vowed to continue the fight against illegal drugs with as much vigor if she becomes president, minus the killings.

She said that her plans and priorities include an anti-illegal drug campaign that focuses on prevention and rehabilitation.

In 2019, Robredo accepted Duterte’s dare to co-chair the government’s task force against illegal drugs despite warning from her allies that it could be a trap. She was later fired.

“Kailangan natin ng isang Leni Robredo na hindi inuuna ang kapritso, hindi nanggigipit ng mga kritiko, kundi tunay na magpapanagot sa mga tiwali, kriminal at abusado,” she added.