PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte on Thursday, March 1, sternly warned of killing aspiring village executives who will be found involved in the illicit drugs trade.
While he affirmed that he would keep his distance from the upcoming village elections, Duterte reiterated his firm stance that he would not allow anyone contributing to the drug menace to be elected as village officials.
"There will be (village) elections, okay. But remember, the drug situation is still very, very alive and vicious. So if those backed up by drug money will win as village captains, it will be another war, another killing," the President said during the opening ceremony of the National Special Weapon and Tactics Challenge in Davao City.
"I'm not saying there will be no elections or there will be elections. But I will never, never -- until the end of my term to the last day -- allow a government official to use his power or position as a platform to engage in criminality, especially drug. I will really not accept that. Let us be sure on that," he added.
Duterte's pronouncement came following Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon's recent claim that the President's allies at the House of Representatives are poised to postpone anew the village and youth council elections.
Drilon on Sunday, February 25, alleged that congressmen wanted to move the twin elections from May 2018 to October the same year, in an attempt to "railroad the proposed Charter Change" by pushing for a provision that will allow extended term under the proposed federal state.
Duterte denied hand in the supposed move to delay the local elections, and stressed that it would be up to members of Congress, if they want it to push through or be suspended again.
He said he does not want to intervene in the resumption of elections for new village officials and youth councils so as not to sow misinterpretation from "bright" people that he is really eyeing a dictatorship.
"You know, there are many brights (sic) here in the Philippines, so many brights that they think we are stupid," he said.
"Congress, it's their choice (to hold or not the village and youth council polls). Hardly if it is ours. Because if we stop it, many [would say], 'Well, of course, [it's because they want] dictatorial [regime or they] do not want elections or free will," he added.
On Monday, February 26, Duterte's spokesman Harry Roque Jr. gave assurance that there will be a conduct of local elections this coming May, in line with the Republic Act (RA) 10952 signed by Duterte on October 2, 2017.
RA 10952 moves the the twin elections from October 23, 2017 to the second Monday of May.
Prior to the signing of RA 10952, Duterte signed a similar law in October 2016, postponing the local polls originally scheduled on October 31, 2016, for fear that drug syndicates would lure those who seek positions in their respective villages.
The President has repeatedly claimed that 40 percent of villages are contaminated with illegal drugs. (SunStar Philippines)