Duterte won’t give ‘special treatment’ to drug-linked celebs – Palace

MANILA, Philippines – After the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) bared that at least 31 celebrities are in their drugs list, President Rodrigo Duterte will not be giving these celebrities any “special treatment,” Malacañang said Friday

“No, the President doesn’t give special treatment to anyone if you have noticed,” Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo said in a Palace briefing.

Panelo, however, said the President has yet to decide whether to make public the names of celebrities allegedly involved in illegal drugs.

READ: Celebs in drugs watchlist won’t be named without Duterte’s approval

“We will wait for the President’s judgment for that,” he said. “He will weigh the considerations.”

Philippine National Police (PNP) chief General Oscar Albayalde said he was in favor of releasing the names of the celebrities in the drug list while Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) Director General Aaron Aquino said he was also in favor provided that it was validated and if the President orders him to do so.

READ: PNP chief OK with exposure of celebrities involved in illegal drugs

Asked as to why the “narcolist” which involves local chief executives and congressmen was released, Panelo said the President does not want these officials to be elected.

“What I can say is that the reason why the list of the so-called narco-politicians named was released is because the President does not want them to hold power and strengthen the drug industry in this country, apart from the Constitution gives the people the right to be informed of many matter[s] that [concern] them, especially relative to their welfare and health,” he said.  /muf