MANILA, Philippines — Cabinet Secretary and acting presidential spokesperson Karlo Nograles said Friday that it is up to President Rodrigo Duterte’s “wise and sound judgment” whether to name the presidential candidate he accused of doing cocaine.
This, even if the President had already named before politicians he said were involved in the illegal drug trade.
“Let’s just wait for the president. Hintayin po natin kung kailan nya pangalanan if ever papangalanan ba nya. Nasa discretion ‘yan ng ating Pangulo,” Nograles said in a press briefing.
“It’s up to his wise and sound judgment if it calls for the naming of the person,” he added.
On Thursday night, Duterte claimed a presidential aspirant in the 2022 elections is into using cocaine. While he did not give the person’s name, Duterte hinted that the aspirant comes from a well-known and rich clan, whose family name means “strong” and is known for its patriarch.
READ: Duterte claims a presidential aspirant does cocaine
“Si Pangulo has access to many sources including mga intel reports. On naming the said individual, we leave it to the sound judgment of the President,” Nograles pointed out.
Asked if the presidential aspirant will be investigated, Nograles said law enforcement agencies are mandated to conduct a probe upon receipt of intelligence reports on alleged users of illegal drugs.
Meanwhile, Nograles also defended criticisms that Duterte not naming the presidential aspirant allegedly using cocaine shows that the campaign against drugs is only targeted against the poor.
“In one of my reports to the president sa mga talk to the people niya, binanggit ang name doon ng lahat ng mga high value targets na nakasuhan na, nahuli na at being prosecuted,” he said.
“Wala tayong sinasanto dito, walang pinipili, social rank o status. Lahat yan basta sangkot sa droga ay kakasuhan natin, huhulihin natin, ip-prosecute natin,” he added.
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