After publicly naming and shaming government officials with suspected drug links, Malacañang is preparing another list, this time an apparent honor roll of local executives untainted by the illegal drug trade.
Presidential Communications Secretary Martin Andanar said the new government list would be released soon to “celebrate” the “clean” local government units who outnumber those implicated in drug operations.
“In a few days, maglalabas kami ng listahan ng mga matitinong LGU officials. It was a borne out of my usual media meeting with ES (Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea). We thought that it was also proper to celebrate the untainted reputation of LGU executives when it comes to illegal drugs,” Andanar said.
“Based on the list, there are more clean governors and mayors than LGU executives who are suspected to be in the illegal drugs business,” he added.
President Duterte earlier identified more than 150 judges, local officials, and policemen allegedly involved in illegal drug trade. He has asked the concerned officials to report to their superiors to clear their names.
The Palace has defended the President’s name-and-shame campaign on drug coddlers in government.
“The President’s primary concern is to deliver effective action to the people. By calling out the names of the judges on the list, he is giving them every chance and opportunity to be prepared to defend themselves, clear their names if they are innocent, and alert the community of their involvement in drugs if they are guilty,” Andanar said.
“Not everybody will applaud him for his audacity, but the President is putting his life, his honor, and the presidency at stake. His love for the people is greater than his fear for his own life, or the fear of embarrassment, failure, or mistake,” he added. (Genalyn D. Kabiling)