MALACAÑANG guaranteed Tuesday, March 26, that the current administration would not give preferential treatment to at least 31 celebrities who were included in the government's drug watch list.
Speaking to Palace reporters, Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo said the celebrities who will be proven to have drug links would be slapped with appropriate charges.
"We're saddened that these people are involved but we will never tolerate," Panelo said.
"If they (law enforcement agencies) have sufficient evidence to back them up in court [with regard to the celebrities' involvement in illegal drugs], then they should and they must," he added.
The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) revealed that 31 celebrities are included in the Duterte government's roster containing the names of drug personalities.
In a radio interview, PDEA Director Aaron Aquino said the celebrities tagged in the drug list are all popular, noting that majority of them are using party drugs, while only a handful are pushing narcotics.
Aquino also stressed that his agency has yet to validate the supposed drug links of the celebrities.
The latest development came more than a week after President Rodrigo Duterte revealed the names of 46 government officials who allegedly have links to narcotics trade.
Panelo, however, said the President would have to be "careful" in divulging the names of the celebrities supposedly involved in illegal drugs.
He said Duterte needs to validate their involvement first before naming them publicly.
"I would have to ask him kasi releasing names is a different matter," the Palace official said.
"You must remember that the President has his own sources. Hindi ba vina-validate niya rin sa kanya kung yung listahan na ibibigay mo sa kanya, sa kanyang sources eh validated. Maingat si Presidente (He's validating the names provided to him by his sources. The President is careful)," he added.
Asked if the Palace would give warning to celebrities who are involved in illicit drug trade, Panelo said: "Too early to say anything. First, we don't know who they are. Second, we don't know if they're really involved."
Pressed again about what the government would do if celebrities who supported Duterte's presidential bid are included in narco-list, Panelo said: "Ganoon pa rin (It's just the same). He will be thankful for the help but he will not tolerate their involvement." (SunStar Philippines)