‘Walang sinasanto,’ says Palace after Duterte’s drug claims vs presidential aspirant

MANILA, Philippines — There are no “holy cows” in the national government’s campaign against illegal drugs, Malacanang said Friday after President Rodrigo Duterte accused an unnamed presidential candidate of using cocaine.

In a briefing, acting presidential spokesperson Karlo Nograles was asked about criticisms that the lack of charges filed against the presidential candidate, supposed he/she is proven to use illegal drugs, show that the war-against-drugs only target the poor.

Nograles disagreed with such criticisms.

“In one of my reports to the president sa mga Talk to the People nya, binanggit name doon lahat ng mga high value targets na nakasuhan na, nahuli na at being prosecuted,” Nograles said.

(In one of my reports to the President in his Talk to the People briefings, we mentioned the names of the high-value targets who were already charged and are being prosecuted.)

“Wala tayong sinasanto dito, walang pinipili, social rank o status. Lahat yan basta sangkot sa droga ay kakasuhan natin, huhulihin natin, ipo-prosecute natin,” he added.

(There are no holy cows here. We do not choose based on social rank or status. Everyone involved in illegal drugs will be charged and prosecuted.)

Asked if the presidential aspirant will be investigated, Nograles said law enforcement agencies are mandated to conduct a investigation upon receipt of intelligence reports on alleged users of illegal drugs.

On Thursday night, the President claimed a presidential aspirant in the 2022 elections is into illegal drugs. 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.