SC clears Duterte ‘narco general’

MANILA, Philippines — A retired police general accused of drug crimes by former president Rodrigo Duterte has been cleared by the Supreme Court (SC) in an administrative case.

In an Aug. 12 resolution, the SC First Division declared void the Office of the President (OP)’s decision that found retired police Chief Superintendent Bernardo Diaz liable for several counts of grave neglect of duty.

Granting Diaz’s appeal, the high court ruled that proceedings before the National Police Commission as well as the decision and resolution of Duterte’s office “were tainted with irregularities and disregarded petitioner’s right to due process and rules of procedure.”

“The OP committed grave abuse of discretion in the resolution of petitioner’s administrative case,” the SC added.

In 2016, Duterte named Diaz as among five police generals “purportedly acting as protectors of illegal drug operations in the country.”

In July 2024, the SC upheld the OP’s ruling, maintaining that Diaz failed to prove the OP committed grave abuse of discretion in removing him from police service.

Although the OP modified its decision in March 2024, the same penalties remained, such as disqualification from holding public office, cancellation of eligibility and forfeiture of retirement benefits.