Senators mixed on proposal to release ‘narco-list’ ahead of brgy. polls

Senators on Tuesday expressed mixed reactions on the proposal to release President Rodrigo Duterte's "narco-list" before the May 2018 barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections.

For one, Senate President Aquilino "Koko" Pimentel III said he agrees that the list should be released to give those on the list a chance to clear their names.

"It's actually 'fairer' to all concerned that the list be once and for all known rather than kept a secret and then used by 'enterprising' people for some extortion activities," he said.

Majority Leader Vicente Sotto III, meanwhile, said he is fine whether to release the list or not.

"I can live with both ideas. Parehong puwede sa akin. I'll follow the President's stand. He is the one blessed with authority," he said.

Senator Gringo Honosan, for his part, disagreed with the proposal, saying that those on the list would only be convicted through trial by publicity.

"[Release the narcolist] and subject all of them, the guilty and innocent to one of our favorite pastimes trying and prematurely convicting each other and institutions by publicity instead of due process and the rule of law? No!" he said.

"Neutralize the confirmed and verified guilty swiftly by law or by force of law," Honasan added.

Senator Sonny Angara, meanwhile, said that should the narco-list be released, it should state that the findings are only "preliminary" and "not conclusive" if no cases have been filed.

"Even better if it states the source of the information, unless these are confidential or classified intelligence sources," he said. —Erwin Colcol/KBK, GMA News