53 politicians involved in illegal drug activities – PDEA

MANILA, Philippines - A total of 53 politicians all over the country are involved in illegal drug activities, Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) Director General Undersecretary Arturo Cacdac Jr. said yesterday.

According to Cacdac, these politicians include a former congressman and a former mayor.

There was also a mayoralty candidate and another candidate for provincial board member.

“Based on PDEA list, there are 53 government officials involved in illegal drugs,” Cacdac told The STAR.

Also in the list are 13 barangay chairmen, 30 village councilmen (kagawad), two municipal councilors, a vice mayor, two municipal mayors, and a city councilor.

“Cases have been filed against said personalities,” the PDEA chief said.

Cacdac did not elaborate on the specific involvement of these politicians in illegal drugs – specifically if they were identified as users or pushers.

But he said that “they were arrested for violating the provision(s) of RA 9165 (Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act). The former congressman was arrested abroad.”

Earlier, House Minority Leader and Quezon Rep. Danilo Suarez said the opposition bloc will file a resolution to investigate reports of “narco-politicians” in the country, saying drug money could be used to fund the campaign of some national and local candidates in the May 2013 elections.

Suarez said the opposition bloc in the House of Representatives will invite Cacdac to reveal the names of politicians being supported or bankrolled by illegal drug syndicates.

When asked whether the agency was categorizing these personalities as “narco-politicians” and if these politicians were using their drug activities to fund their political careers, Cacdac said: “The word narco-politics does not appear in RA 9165.”

Cacdac said the agency will submit the list of names of these politicians when directed by the House of Representatives.