GOVERNMENT law enforcement agencies are continuously gathering information and evidences in order to build-up strong cases against the politicians included in drugs list released by President Rodrigo Duterte last week, a Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) official said.
“We assure that after 14 months of serious validation and re-validation this is a well vetted list. We are working on building up strong cases on top of the already existing holdings,” PDEA spokesperson Derrick Carreon said.
Carreon made the statement as the PDEA, in particular, the agency which led the validation of the said list is vying on the credibility of the list of alleged narco-politicians released by Duterte on Thursday, during a meeting with government officials in Davao City.
The Philippine National Police (PNP) earlier said the government still has no strong evidence and basis to file drug charges against the politicians on the list.
The list includes 46 narco-politicians--- 35 mayors, seven vice-mayors, one provincial board member and three members of the House of Representatives.
Carreon said it is only the partial list as others are still being subject to validation while some were already transferred to civilian list as they are no longer holding or running for public office.
They were charged of grave misconduct, conduct prejudicial to the best interest of the service, conduct unbecoming of a public officer, and gross neglect of duty against the politicians on the list before the Office of the Ombudsman by the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG).
Earlier, PDEA director General Aaron Aquino said there were 82 politicians included in the government’s drugs list.
“The names of politicians that were not announced are subject for continuous validation and case build-up by the intelligence agencies of the government,” said Carreon.
“The Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC) and Presidential Anti-Corruption Commission (PACC) is also conducting their own investigation against these 46 narco-politicians in support to the law enforcement efforts,” he added.
However, as the release of the said list drew negative reactions particularly from the lawmakers, Carreon reiterated that it aims to curtail and minimize corruption among officials of the government, to promote the highest standard of honesty in public service and to elevate morality in public administration.
“This is the reason why public officials have limited right to privacy as compared to ordinary individuals. These officials serve the public and are therefore accountable to the public,” he said.
“The Constitution, likewise, protects the public's basic right to information and access to government transactions, documents and operations,” he added. (SunStar Philippins)