LAWYERS and politicians here have mixed thoughts on the supposed plan of Malacañang Palace to release the list of narco-politicians ahead of the May elections.
Lawyer James Judith, who is also running as city councilor, said it is unlawful to make the narco-list public because everyone must be accorded to a due process.
“Kabalo ta nga naay political will ang atong presidente (we know that the president has a political will), but whether we like it or not, as a lawyer, dili gyud na pwede and questionable pud ang timing (it is not allowed, and the timing is questionable),”Judith said.
For him, he agrees with the release of the “list” as long as those listed in it, already have pending cases in court because he maintains that only the court determines whether a person is guilty of a crime or not.
Judith is also worried that the “list”, when made public, may be used by political opponents to destroy their rivals in the upcoming polls.
Another lawyer, Adonis Gumahad, also said presumption of innocence is a basic right under the constitution and implicating a person to a crime, such that of illegal drugs, without pending drug-related cases is a violation.
“Mas maayo ma-filan sa kaso bisan sa fiscal level lang ang alleged narco-politician then pwede na dayon i-disclose kay as a lawyer lisod man mag-publish kag list nga wala pay basihan,” he said.
(It is better to file a case instead, even to the prosecutor level, against this narco-politician, before it can be disclosed because as a lawyer, it is hard to publish a list without a basis)
Lieutenant Colonel Mardy Hortillosa II, spokesperson of the Cagayan de Oro City Police Office (Cocpo), said he is uncertain if there are officials or candidates from the city included in the narco-list
“Dili ko makasulti kung wala or naa kay kana naa na sa intel community. Sekreto kana nga dili pwede ipaabot sa tanan (I can’t say whether there is or none, because it is up to the intelligence community. It is a secret that can’t be shared to everyone),” he said.
Hortillosa also said releasing the narco-list will, on one hand, guide the voting public who to elect. But he said it would also damage the image of the politician, especially if there is no truth to the allegation, on the other hand.
However, mayoral candidate Jose Gabriel “Pompee” La Viña favors the release of the list containing names of politicians involved in illegal drugs.
“So that the people will finally know the truth. We deserve to know, don’t we? The people’s right to know and choose their leaders wisely is paramount,” he said.
La Viña also said the filing of the drug charges and disclosure of the list could be done simultaneously.
“Simultaneous is ok. Or expose then file. Para (so that) they have chance to answer in court also. Better to be safe when it comes to drugs. People have the right to know,” he said.
Misamis Oriental governor Yevgeny Emano also agrees.
“Malipay ko nga ipagawas ang (I will be glad for the release of the) narco-list, Hiinusa daw na nga lista sa Comelec, PNP, AFP ug PDEA (its a unified list from Commission on Election, Philippine National Police, Armed Forces of the Philippines, and the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency),” he said.