MANILA – President Rodrigo Duterte already gave the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) a go signal to release the list of politicians supposed to be involved in the illegal drug trade.
Presidential Spokesman Salvador Panelo said on Tuesday that DILG secretary Eduardo Año could release the narco-list as early as next week pending the final review.
“Siguro by next week ilalabas na ‘yan ni DILG secretary Año,” Panelo said in an interview on Dobol B sa News TV.
He added: “Alam mo, kailangan natin tingnan ‘yung problema ng droga. Ito’y masyadong napakalaki na nagbabantang sirain ‘yung buong lipunan natin.”
Panelo assured the public that the DILG is already preparing the charges against the politicians in the list, but he admitted that resolution of such cases usually takes time.
“Sabi sa akin ni Secretary Año, naka-ready na ‘yung fafile-an niya, administrative pati criminal. As I said earlier hindi na tayo maghihintay ng bago mo ilabas ‘yun e kakasuhan mo pa e matagal ang proseso ng kaso sa ating bayan,” Panelo said.
Año earlier pushed for the release the list before the May 13 elections, supposedly to serve as guide for voters.
Comelec chairman Sheriff Abas said they cannot stop the DILG and the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency from releasing the list but politicians listed will not be disqualified in running for an elective position./PN
