Duterte won’t bare list of ‘narco celebrities’

MANILA, Philippines — President Duterte sees no reason to publicly identify the celebrities in the watchlist of those suspected of involvement in illegal drugs.

Duterte said the celebrities are not running for public office, unlike the politicians in the watchlist, who must be held accountable to the public.

“It will be publicized at an appropriate time, maybe,” Duterte said after attending the 31st annual convention of the Prosecutors’ League of the Philippines last Thursday in Palawan.

“There is no reason to (name them) since they are not up for election. People have nothing to do with their lives except that they are committing a crime,” he said.

Duterte told the convention that he cannot allow the Philippines to become a narco state.

He said he is keen on derailing the bid of politicians linked to drugs.

“The celebrities (in the list are not) seeking public office. But those who are seeking public office and will someday, if they win, hold power, that’s the problem, ” he said.

Duterte said as President, he is “morally, legally bound to tell the people” the real score about their candidates.

“If they still vote for you, fine. This is a democracy. But the people ought to know and that is my solemn duty – to inform the public under the right of information and to know who are the idiots there,” he said.

Duterte said he could not invoke public safety in the case of narco celebrities since they are private persons. 

He stressed he could not just reveal the names of the celebrities in the narco list without proper justification.

Duterte said he has yet to review the names of the celebrities in the narco list without proper justification.

He said he has yet to review the names of the celebrities amid earlier rumors that a known showbiz artist tagged by the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) got support from Palace officials.  

Pressed if he knows the showbiz personalities involved in drugs, Duterte admitted he has not yet seen the list.  

Duterte said he has given the authorities a freehand in the conduct of investigation about the drug links of certain personalities.

“But on the day that it will be published, I should know so that I have the right answers to give to the inquiring public,” the President said.

Duterte’s former political adviser and now senatorial candidate Francis Tolentino has insisted that the celebrity narco list should be made public because they are idolized by many, including the youth.  

During a recent roundtable interview with The STAR editors, deskmen and reporters, Tolentino said the showbiz personalities should always live by example because they are being admired by many of their fans.

PDEA chief Aaron Aquino and Philippine National Police chief Gen. Oscar Albayalde have warned about the involvement of some popular celebrities, including some matinee idols, in drug abuse. But the officials have opted to keep the list secret until given a go signal by the President to make it public.