The government is inclined to file cases against certain celebrities if there is sufficient evidence showing their involvement in the illegal drugs trade, President Duterte declared last Saturday.
The President would rather take such legal action than reveal the reported list of celebrities with suspected drug links, saying he would not unnecessarily put them to shame.
“Ito ba ‘yung mga artista gusto ninyo ilabas… You know, what would be the purpose? Hindi naman sila people seeking public office so there’s really no need,” Duterte said during his visit to Iloilo City.
“I-file na lang namin if the evidence, ‘yung na-gather is sufficient. But I will not unnecessarily put to shame ‘yung mga artista. Civilian ‘yan,” he said.
The President said he was taking responsibility for publicly naming the politicians with alleged drug involvement. He explained that the public has the right to know if these persons would be an asset or liability in government.
“You run the risk always because you are aspiring a public office and everybody should know whether you are a liability to the government or an asset. ‘Yan ang purpose ko diyan,” he said.
Duterte admitted that he does not personally know the politicians linked to the illegal drugs trade. He also did not read the “dossier or documents incriminating them” until the day of the public release.
“Pero ako ang nagbigay ng final. Totoo ‘yan, ako ‘yan. I take full responsibility for that. Pero hindi ko kilala ‘yan,” Duterte said.
The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency had earlier said there were 31 television and movie celebrities in its drugs watch list. They were supposedly using cocaine, marijuana, shabu, and party drugs.
PDEA Director General Aaron Aquino has refused to name the celebrities, saying their links to the drug trade have not yet been validated. (Genalyn Kabiling)