PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte on Thursday, April 4, said he has no plans of disclosing the identities of 31 celebrities who are allegedly on the government's drug watch list.
In a speech delivered in Puerto Princesa City in Palawan, Duterte noted that these celebrities are private citizens, unlike politicians who are supposed to serve the people. Politicians on the narco-list are being identified to raise public awareness.
"This is the most appropriate time to say it. 'Yung listahan ng mga drug addict, or drug users, or traffickers, 'yung mga artista, 'yung ibang tao, hindi ko bitawan iyan. Alam mo bakit? Hindi naman sila seeking public office," Duterte said during the 31st annual convention of the Prosecutor's League of the Philippines.
(This is the most appropriate time to say it. I will not release the list of drug addicts, drug users or drug traffickers who are celebrities. You know why? They are not the ones seeking public office.)
"But those who are seeking public office and will someday, if they win, hold power, iyan ang problem (that's a problem). Kaya (That's why) I am morally, legally bound to tell the people, 'Ito 'yung mga kandidato ninyo. Bahala kayo (These are your candidates. You are free to know and make a choice).' If they still vote for you, fine. This is a democracy," he added.
The President made the remarks in response to a clamor to divulge the names of celebrities who are reported to have drug ties.
He revealed the names of 46 "narco-politicians" in March.
The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) has revealed that at least 31 celebrities have involvement in illicit drug trade.
Eleven of 31 celebrities who allegedly have links to illegal drugs are actresses, while the rest are male actors. Majority of them are in their 20s and 30s, with most of them still active in the entertainment industry.
On March 26, Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo said the celebrities who will be proven to have drug links would be slapped with appropriate charges.
Also on March 29, Panelo assured the public that Duterte was not giving "special treatment" to celebrities who are involved in illegal drugs. (SunStar Philippines)