Comelec spokesperson James Jimenez PHOTO by Faye Orellana/INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philippines — The Commission on Elections (Comelec) will not interfere with the plan of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) to release names of politicians who are allegedly involved in illegal drugs.
“The Comelec is not involved in making those arguments. Wala kaming position diyan (We have no position in that issue),” Comelec spokesperson James Jimenez said in a press briefing on Monday.
“If someone wants to release the narco list, then that is their call entirely. Wala po kaming.. hindi po kami involved diyan (We are not involved),” he added.
However, Jimenez said that it would affect the decision of the voting public on who to vote for in the upcoming midterm elections.
He also echoed the statement of Comelec Chairman Sheriff Abas that inclusion in the ‘narco list’ is not a ground for disqualification.
“If there’s a candidate on the ‘narco list,’ that list only reflects an allegation that they are involved in the narcotic stray,” he explained, adding that it’s not a final conviction so it cannot be a ground for disqualification.
“There are a lot of collateral issues to the use of the’ narco list,’ but none of those affect the Comelec nor the status of the candidates,” Jimenez added.
In an interview with The Source, Abas said that releasing the names of politicians allegedly involved in the illegal drugs trade is the call of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) and DILG.
But he said that if the names included in the list are properly verified, then it should be a good guide for voters.
“Personally, tingin ko mas maganda nga na guide ‘yun. Pero ang problema lang, totoo ba ‘yun? Pero kung totoo, for me, maganda kasi naga-guide mo ang botante,” he said.
(Personally, I think it’s a good guide, but the problem is: is it true? If it is, then I think it should be useful guide for voters.) /ee
READ: Inclusion in narco-list not ground for poll bets’ disqualification – Comelec