Some politicians on Duterte’s ‘narcolist’ win in local polls

MANILA, Philippines — Some of the politicians tagged on the so-called narcolist of the Duterte administration have won in the local polls.

According to partial and unofficial data from the Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting (PPCRV), which is also mirrored by the Inquirer transparency server, as of 7:06 p.m. Tuesday, Roderick “Dondon” Alcala was the front runner of the mayoralty race in Lucena City, Quezon with 88,619 votes.

Alcala was one of 46 politicians President Rodrigo Duterte said has links to the illegal drug trade.

READ: Duterte names 46 pols on narcolist

Alcala ran under Duterte’s Partido Demokratiko Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban).

Alcala has since denied his involvement in the illegal drug trade.

He also blamed House minority leader and Quezon Representative Danilo Suarez for his inclusion in the controversial list after the latter allegedly threatened him to release documents against Alcala if he does not stop a certain broadcast.

READ: Lucena mayor: Rep. Suarez responsible for my inclusion in ‘narcolist’

Meanwhile, Leyte 3rd Dist. Rep. Vicente “Ching” Veloso was also successful in his reelection bid with 9,461 votes.

Veloso also did not let his inclusion in the narcolist pass and vowed to file a criminal case against some personnel of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA), the Philippine National Police, and the Department of the Interior and Local Government.

READ: Leyte lawmaker in narco-list to probe why he is being linked to illegal drugs

Zambales 1st Dist. Rep. Jeff Khonghun likewise succeeded in taking back a seat at the House of Representatives as he garnered 14,489 votes.

Khonghun preferred to keep his silence about his inclusion in the list and said he will consult with his lawyer.

READ: Celeste eyes raps vs those who put him in ‘narcolist,’ Khonghun to consult with lawyer

Meanwhile, no member of the political Parojinog family ran for the mayoral post in Ozamiz City, Misamis Occidental.

Members of the Parojinog have also been tagged in the illegal drug trade.

In July 2017, former Mayor Reynaldo Parojinog was killed as police tried to serve search warrants on the family’s properties for drugs and firearms.

Reynaldo’s daughter, Vice Mayor Nova Echaves, was arrested during the raid.

READ: Mayor Parojinog killed in Ozamiz raid; daughter arrested — police

/kga