Sotto: Validate list of celebs linked to drugs first prior to release

MANILA, Philippines — The list of celebrities involved in illegal drugs should be validated first before government pursues the disclosure of names in it, Senate President Vicente Sotto III said Friday.

“I’m in favor of releasing the list but it should be validated,” Sotto told reporters in a Viber message.

The Senate President also noted the term “celebrities” does not only represent people in showbiz as it could also refer to other public personalities.

“Take note that the term celebrities refer to not only showbiz people but also basketball players and other public figures,” Sotto said.

Sotto issued the statement after Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) Director General Aaron Aquino revealed that some celebrities are included in its watch list for being allegedly involved in the drug trade.

READ: PDEA chief says ‘celebrity’ pushers in drugs watchlist

Sotto then said it was “ironic” that heads of television networks are not acting on those celebrities who are linked with drugs.

“The irony is that the bosses of these persons know who they are and are not doing anything about it,” he said.

To recall, however, Sotto has already said names of celebrities linked to drugs should also be exposed after President Rodrigo Duterte bared the names of politicians allegedly involved in the drug trade.

READ: Sotto: Names of celebrities tagged in drug trade should also be exposed

READ: Duterte exposes 46 ‘narco politicians’

According to the PDEA chief, 20 actors and 11 actresses are included on its drug watch list.

The PDEA chief bared that 20 actors and 11 actresses are included on its drug watch list.

With this, Sotto echoed Aquino’s call for local television networks to conduct mandatory and surprise drug tests to its celebrities. /kga

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