DANGEROUS Drugs Board (DDB) chairperson Catalino Cuy and Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) Director Aaron Aquino both support the release to the public of the names of politicians included in their narco-list.
"Just like what we did before the barangay election, siguro it would be advantageous and beneficial for the voters to know kung ano 'yung background nung mga candidates sa lugar nila, lalo na kung meron mga alleged or reported involvement sa illegal drug activities," Cuy said in a press conference on Monday, October 15.
But Aquino said they are still waiting for permit from President Rodrigo Duterte to publicize the list.
On April 30, before the barangay elections, the PDEA released the names of village officials who were included in the President's drugs watchlist.
Of the 207 names on the list, at least 90 were village chiefs, while the others were barangay councilors and watchmen.
Aquino said the number of narco-politicians went down to 85 from 93 after the killing of four and the arrest of four others who were on the list.
Included in the list were mayors, vice mayors, governors, vice governor and congressmen.
Aquino said for now, they are thoroughly adjudicating the names on the list through four validating agencies, including the Philippine National Police (PNP) and PDEA.
"If and when they will be delisted (from the list), mas maganda siguro ganun gawin namin sa PDEA, kapag dinelist namin sila sa listahan, ilalagay na lang namin sila sa suspense file na in case they will again do some active effort on illegal drugs, ibabalik namin sila doon sa original list," he said.
Meanwhile, PNP Chief Oscar Albayalde said in a press conference in Camp Crame on Tuesday, October 16, that the release of the names on the list depends on Duterte.
But he said that before doing so, such list should be validated.
“It depends. Hindi natin pwede i-second guess the President kung talagang gusto niyang ilabas o hindi ang ano jan is kung talagang mailalabas, I think kailangan kasi ‘yung list na yan should have been adjudicated and validated already,” he said.
On the possible drug testing of candidates ahead of the 2019 elections, Albayalde said it should be voluntary.
“Hindi ito dapat mandatory. There will come a time probably kung darating man ang panahon na i-mandatory drug test ang lahat ng tumatakbo, probably, that is a good idea, but as of this time, kung ikaw naman ay kumakandidato at talagang gusto mong ipakita na hindi ka gumagamit ng illegal na droga, wala naman sigurong masama kung ikaw ay magpadrug test,” he said. (SunStar Philippines)