Roque: Duterte narcolist ‘just a statement of fact’

MANILA, Philippines — There is nothing wrong with President Rodrigo Duterte’s move to release the so-called “narcolist” ahead of the May elections, former presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said Monday.

Roque, also a former human rights lawyer, said the release of the names of politicians with supposed drug links was a mere statement of “fact.”

“It’s a fact. Ang inaasahan ko ay magsasampa na ng kaso ang kinauukulan para naman mapanagot ang mga nasa narcolist, hindi lang magrelease lang ng listahan,” Roque told INQUIRER.net in an interview after an event at the Department of Foreign Affairs office.

(It’s a fact. I am expecting that they would file cases and not just release the names on the list.)

The former Duterte spokesperson also downplayed claims that the release of the 46-man list could be a ground for the President’s impeachment.

“That has to do with enforcement of the law. I think that’s covered by executive powers,” he said.

Duterte earlier made public the names of 46 alleged local narco-politicians.

READ: Duterte exposes 46 ‘narco politicians’

The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) filed before the Office of the Ombudsman administrative cases against the 46 officials.

In a statement Friday, Akbayan Rep. Tom Villarin said releasing the list violates the right to due process and presumption of innocence and could constitute an impeachable offense for culpable violation of the Constitution. /ee

READ: Duterte could be impeached for releasing ‘narcolist,’ says solon