(Photo grabbed from ABS-CBN News)
CLARK FREEPORT – Presidential spokesperson Salvador Panelo said yesterday Pres. Duterte may yet “categorically announce” the release of Dangerous Drugs Board (DDB) list of candidates involved in illegal drugs activities.
In a statement released here by the Philippine Information Agency (PIA), Panelo said the “President, pursuant to (his) mandate to serve and protect the people, is taking into consideration all rights and interests involved in order to ensure that the 2019 elections are not only credible and peaceful but also one that is truly reflective of the people’s desires and aspirations.”
Panelo said the DDB “is pushing for the President’s approval for the release of a list containing the names of politicians or candidates involved in illegal drug activities in order to guide the voters as they elect their respective leaders in the midterm elections next year.”
“The position of the DDB finds basis on the people’s right to information, which certainly includes the right to be cognizant of the profile, background and upbringing of candidates we will choose to elect to powerful positions,” said Panelo who is also presidential legal counsel.
He said that” as voters, we have the right to know these in order for us to make intelligent and studied choices when we go to the polls next year and exercise our right of suffrage.”
“Narco-lists prepared by our law enforcement agencies, including the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency, are not products of mere conceptions but are based on intelligence reports which underwent a series of comprehensive assessments,” he stressed.
“The public can thus be assured that these lists are credible and not propaganda tools to taint the characters of candidates,” he also said.
Panelo also said that “at the same time, release of narco-lists should not be perceived as a verdict against those candidates named therein as they are free to seek recourse and object to the findings of our authorities in clearing their reputations.”
“To be sure, the sole purpose of releasing such lists is for voters to be informed of personalities involved in destroying or ravaging our nation through facilitating the proliferation of dangerous drugs in our societies,” he added.
