Vice President Leni Robredo. (Photo from a livestream video posted on her Facebook account)
MANILA, Philippines — File cases against politicians allegedly linked to illegal drugs and whose names appear in the so-called “narcolist” instead of putting them on trial by publicity, Vice President Leni Robredo said on Wednesday.
“Kung may enough evidence galing sa kanila, bakit hindi sila kasuhan? Kasuhan sila sa korte para may pagkakataon sila na depensahan iyong sarili,” Robredo told reporters during a multisectoral dialogue in Laguna.
(If there are enough evidence from them, why not file a case against them? Charge them in court so they can have the chance to defend themselves.)
“Mahirap iyong trial by publicity, kasi ano iyong assurance natin na tama iyong information?” Robredo added.
(Trial by publicity is complicated, because what assurance can we get that the information is indeed correct?)
Robredo said that authorities should consider the repercussions of trial by publicity.
“‘Di ba noong nakaraang dalawa’t kalahating taon, maraming pagkakataon na binabawi iyong sinasabi, kasi hindi pala na-vet nang maayos. So ito, may mga mabibiktima na mga inosenteng tao,” Robredo said.
(About two-and-a-half years ago, there were lots of times the statements were being recanted because it was not properly vetted. So here, there would be inncocent people who will fall victims.)
Robredo also stressed that authorities should file cases if there is evidence against these politicians being involved in illegal drugs.
“Siyempre, ayaw natin na mag-elect tayo sa public office ng mga narco politicians, pero kasuhan na sila ngayon. Iyon pala, may ebidensya laban sa kanila, bakit ayaw pang kasuhan? Bakit ita-trial by publicity?” Robredo said.
(Of course, we do not want to elect narcopoliticians into public office, but they should be chagred right now. If indeed there are evidence against them, why not file charges against them? Why would they be subjected to trial by publicity?)
Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo said on Tuesday President Rodrigo Duterte already agreed to release the “narcolist.”
READ: Duterte OKs release of ‘narco list’
Panelo said that Interior Secretary Eduardo Año might release the list next week.
READ: Palace: Narco list to be released next week