MANILA, Philippines — Ten of President Rodrigo Duterte’s partymates were among the 46 narco-politicians he recently exposed.
The ruling Partido Demokratiko Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban) party confirmed this on Friday after its President, Senator Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III, announced that party members included in the so-called “narcolist” may be expelled from the party.
READ: PDP-Laban members on ‘narcolist’ may face possible expulsion — Pimentel
“There are 10 (PDP-Laban members on the list),” PDP-Laban Spokesperson Ronwald Munsayac told INQUIRER.net in a text message.
Munsayac noted that eight of them are running in the May elections.
“We will ask these individuals to explain their link to drugs. Rest assured the party will take decisive action immediately,” he said.
“In our 37 years of existence, we have no room and zero tolerance for illegal drugs and its protectors. We are the President’s most important partner in pushing for genuine change,” he added.
Despite opposition, Duterte, the ruling party’s chairman, revealed the names of the 46 politicians with alleged links to the illegal drug trade during a meeting with top police and military officials in Davao City on Thursday night.
Of the 46 mentioned by the President, 36 are running in the May polls, with 25 of them seeking reelection. /ee
READ: Duterte exposes 46 ‘narco politicians’