Comelec won’t keep DILG, PDEA from baring candidates on narco list

The Commission on Elections cannot stop the Department of Interior and Local Government and the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency from releasing the names of candidates on their list on politicians involved in illegal drugs.

“Call 'yan ng DILG at PDEA. Wala kaming problema diyan,” Comelec chairman Sheriff Abas told GMA News.

“Siguro may basis din sila. May mandato sila,” he added.

Abas, however, said that a candidate's inclusion in the government’s narco list was not a basis for disqualification in running for an elective position.

“As far as Comelec is concerned, hindi naman ibig sabihin na nandoon ka sa listahan eh talagang accused ka na. Hindi naman siya ground for disqualification,” Abas said. 

Palace supportive

President Rodrigo Duterte is supporting the release of the so-called “narco-list” which according to Interior Secretary Eduardo Año would help the public to decide who to vote for and not.

“From the point of view of the voters, it will also be unfair if you do not tell them exactly your investigation relative to those involved in the drug industry,” presidential spokesperson Salvador Panelo said at a news conference.

“And if they are elected and then suddenly their place is contaminated with drugs, they will blame the government, ‘why didn’t you tell us this, you have known this pala all the time.’ So, ibalanse natin,” he said.

Panelo said the government will file cases against the candidates allegedly into illegal drugs. The Palace, however, said politicians may file counter-charges against the authorities if they wish.

Unfair

Another Comelec commissioner, Rowena Guanzon, said making the list public would be unfair, branding it as negative campaigning.

"Negative campaigning yang ginagawa nila kapag nilagay nila sa listahan yan. ‘Huwag niyong iboto 'to ng mga taong kasi mga drug pusher ito.’ E di negative campaigning iyan. Unfair naman 'yun,” Guanzon said in an interview on Super Radyo dzBB Sunday.

Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) chief Aaron Aquino in a separate interview on Monday said he was against disclosing the list of politicians allegedly involved in the illegal  drug trade ahead of the May elections.

Aquino told GMA News Online that his office needs to build up cases against those on the list.

"Since the very first time, I for one don't want the disclosure of the narco list... just to work silently and file necessary charges to those involve," Aquino said in a text message.—NB, GMA News