Palace: No stopping release of names of village execs on drug list

Presidential Spokesperson Atty. Harry Roque. YANCY LIM/PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO

The government would release the names of village officials allegedly involved in illegal drugs despite criticisms that the move did not follow due process.

Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said the decision to release the list was the “judgement call” of President Rodrigo Duterte.

“The President has already ordered the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency to disclose the names of barangay officials included in its list of all those allegedly involved in the illegal drugs trade,” Roque said in a Palace briefing on Thursday.

The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) on Wednesday said it would release within the week the names of village officials included in the President’s drug list.

READ: Names of barangay execs in Duterte’s drug list out ‘within the week’ – PDEA

Magdalo Rep. Gary Alejano had questioned the move, citing the need for “substantial” evidence against the officials.

The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) said the presumption of innocence and due process must be observed first.

But Roque said the President would not recall his order to the PDEA.

“I confirm that the order was given and again that’s within the powers of the executive to warn the public on the possible drug personalities who maybe elected into the public office,” he said.

“So that’s a judgement call of the President. They could object and object but the voters are entitled to this information,” he added.

Duterte has repeatedly said that village officials were on his drug list, yet the government has not filed drug charges against the said individuals. /je