President says more names to follow
(Eagle News) — President Rodrigo Duterte on Thursday, March 14, bared over 40 names of politicians on his narco-list.
Duterte said administrative charges were already filed by the Department of the Interior and Government against the 46 individuals—consisting of 35 mayors, seven vice mayors, one provincial board member and three members of the House of Representatives—today, which meant the accusations against them have been “validated.”
Among those Duterte named were former Iloilo Mayor Jed Mabilog and Danbantayan, Cebu Mayor Vicente Loot, who have already denied the allegations.
Mabilog was subsequently dismissed from service for graft.
Also named were Reps. Vicente Veloso, 3rd district, Leyte; Jesus Celeste, 1st district, Pangasinan; and Jeffrey Khonghun, 1st district, Zambales.
The list also included the following mayors, vice mayors, and other local officials, and those running for local or national posts:
Ferdinand Aguinaldo (Pasuquin, Ilocos Norte); Erlon Agustin (Camiling, Tarlac); Bruno Tolentino Ramos (Bay, Laguna); Caesar Pabalete Perez (Los Banos, Laguna); Jefferson Khonghun (Subic, Zambales); Cipriano Violago Jr. (San Rafael, Bulacan); Raul Palino (Teresa, Rizal); Cecilio Hernandez (Rodriguez, Rizal); Marjorie Salazar (Lasam, Cagayan); Loreto Amante (San Pablo, Laguna); Roderick Alcantara Alcala (Lucena, Quezon); and Juan Valencia Toreja (Ibaan, Batangas);
Eulalio Mendoza Alilio (Lemery, Batangas); Rommel Cruz Ayuson (Rizal); Nieves Cabunalda Rosente (El Nido, Palawan); Ariel Tubago Alagos Jr. (Culasi, Antique); Julius Ronald Pacificador (Hamtic, Antique); Mariano Malficio Malones Sr. (Maasin, Iloilo); and Siegfredo Afluente Betita (Carles, Iloilo);
Gamar Ahay Janihim (Zamboanga del Norte); Leonida Albor Angcap (Midsalip, Zamboanga del Sur); Crisinciano Enot Mahilac (Misamis Occidental); David Mabal Navarro (Clarin, Misamis Occidental); Ezel Tabuelog Villanueva (Calamba, Misamis Occidental); Jason Paredes Almonte (Oroquieta); Abubakar Pendatun Maulana (Palimbang, Sultan Kudarat); Albert Palencia (Banga, South Cotabato); Pablo Mondejar Matinong Jr. (Sto. Nino, South Cotabato); and Roberto Luna (Linging, Surigao del Sur);
Abdulwahab Sabal (Talitay, Maguindanao); Anida Dimaukom (Datu Saudi Ampatuan, Maguindanao); Arafat Alim Salic (Marawi); Jamal Abinal Pangandamun (Maguing, Lanao del Sur); Mamaulan Abinal Mulok (Maguing, Lanao del Sur); Montasser Meling Sabal (Taglitay, Maguindanao); Ohto Caumbo Montawal (Datu Montawal); Rasul Mabang Sangki (Ampatuan, Maguindanao); Vicman Kambang Montawal (Datu Montawal, Maguindanao); and Jamal Abdullah Mansul (Hadji Muhtamad, Basilan).
Speaking to CNN Philippines, Interior spokesperson Jonathan Malaya said apart from the charges for conduct unbecoming of a public official and for grave misconduct filed against those named by Duterte before the Ombudsman, more cases would be filed against these individuals “in other venues.”
Duterte said he would publicly name other individuals engaged in illegal drug activities, saying he “wanted to be sure” first.
“I don’t have the slightest intention to hurt anybody,” Duterte said.
When told the release of the narco-list came during the campaign period, Malaya said the timing was just “unfortunate.”
He said the filing of the charges could even allow those on the list to answer the charges against them in the proper venue.