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 鈥渏udgement call鈥� of President Rodrigo Duterte.
鈥淭he 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,鈥� Roque said in a Palace briefing聽on Thursday.
The聽Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA)聽on Wednesday聽said it would release within the week the names of聽village officials included in the President鈥檚 drug list.
搁贰础顿:听Names of barangay execs in Duterte鈥檚 drug list out 鈥榳ithin the week鈥� 鈥� PDEA
Magdalo Rep. Gary Alejano had questioned the move, citing the need for 鈥渟ubstantial鈥� 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.
鈥淚 confirm that the order was given and again that鈥檚 within the powers of the executive to warn the public on the possible drug personalities who maybe elected into the public office,鈥� he said.
鈥淪o that鈥檚 a judgement call of the President. They could object and object but the voters are entitled to this information,鈥� 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