Cayetano: We will not tolerate 'narco politicians' in Congress

House Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano vowed to rid the lower chamber of narco politicians.

“Kung meron po gumagamit (ng droga), and worse nagbebenta ng droga or protector ng droga sa Kongreso, kasama po ako sa paglilinis sa ating Kongreso," Cayetano said in a statement issued on Saturday.

The House speaker made the remark during the 17th year anniversary celebration of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) in Quezon City.

Cayetano has earlier called on his colleagues at the House of Representatives to “do what is right” to make the chamber a "real House of the people."

In his keynote message, the speaker reiterated his support to PDEA which leads the anti-illegal drug campaign of the Duterte administration.

“Let me assure you that the Congress of the Philippines is behind you and we will do everything possible, and we ask for closer coordination,” Cayetano said.

The lawmaker urged PDEA officials to be more proactive and persistent in communicating to lawmakers about the agency’s logistical or training constraints. 

“Kung kulang ang pondo, kulitin niyo po kami. Kung kulang sa training, kulitin niyo lang kami. Kung medyo 'yung mga kritiko natin from abroad at minsan ang media may mga tanong na mabibigat, let’s be patient and persistent in answering and explaining our situation,” he said.

Cayetano also reiterated the reason why the Duterte administration needs to implement the relentless campaign against illegal drugs and explained that it is not intended to perpetuate war against human rights.  

“The anti-illegal drug campaign, or the drug war as well call it, is not a war on life. Our intention is not to kill people. Our intention is to protect human life, to protect the life, liberty of our people, to protect our people by giving them safe areas to live in, safe streets to walk and safe places to work,” he said. —Ted Cordero/KG, GMA News