MANILA, Philippines — A month after he exposed 46 politicians with supposed drug links, President Rodrigo Duterte on Thursday said he will not release the names of private individuals and celebrities involved in the drug trade.
Speaking at the 31st Annual Convention of Prosecutor’s League of the Philippines in Puerto Princesa City, Palawan, Duterte said he only revealed names of the so-called narco-politicians because they are the ones seeking public office and will be a “problem” if they win in the May elections.
“‘Yung mga listahan ng addict, or drug users, or traffickers or mga artista ‘yung ibang tao hindi ko bitawan ‘yan. Alam mo kung bakit? Hindi naman sila seeking public office,” he said.
(The list of drug users, traffickers, and celebrities will not be revealed because they are not seeking public office.)
“But those who are seeking public office and someday if they win, hold power ‘yan ang problema (that’s a problem). Kaya I am morally, legally bound to tell the people ito yung mga kandidato ninyo bahala kayo (That’s why I’m morally, legally bound to tell the people these are your candidates),” he added.
The President stressed that it was his “solemn duty” to inform the people who among the poll bets are involved in drugs.
“If they still vote for you, fine. This is a democracy. But the people ought to know, and this is my solemn duty to inform the public. Right of information and to know who are the idiots there,” he said.
Last month, Duterte revealed the names of 46 politicians on the government’s “narcolist” or the elected officials allegedly involved in the illegal drug trade.
Majority of those with supposed links to illegal drugs are local candidates, which consist of 33 mayors, eight vice mayors, three members of Congress, a board member, and a former mayor. /ee
READ: Duterte exposes 46 ‘narco politicians’