President Duterte is supporting the suggestion of Interior and Local Government Secretary Eduardo Año to release the list of narcopoliticians ahead of the May 2019 midterm polls.
In an interview with Palace reporters yesterday after the signing of the Universal Health Care Act, Duterte backed Año’s suggestion but said he is leaving the decision up to the Department of Interior and Local Government chief.
“Yes, I support it. Or would you rather hindi na talaga lalabas yung pangalan nila? Galit ako sa droga,” Duterte said. “Yes, I would release the list! But it’s up to Año to decide on that. I do not interfere on that,” he added.
Presidential spokesperson Salvador Panelo earlier said Duterte would back such move since the President himself released a list during his first year as Chief Executive.
“As far as the Secretary of the Department of the Interior and Local Government is concerned, there is a need to provide information para magkaroon ang voters ng intelligent choice,” he said.
“Diba si Presidente noon naglabas na rin noon? So it goes without saying, kung si Presidente mismo naglabas,” he added.
Panelo also said that the list that will be released should be vetted carefully in order to not have put innocent candidates at a disadvantage. (Argyll Gecucos)
