TWO senators at the weekend cautioned the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) against proceeding with its plan to publish a narco list of politicians before the start of campaign period for mid-term local elections starting March 29.
Senator Richard Gordon warned that “If they (DILG officials) issue a narco list at this time, they could be liable for libel” if they cannot prove charges against the candidates.
Gordon, a lawyer, said: To me, the issue is you are accusing somebody (of a crime) without due process of law.”
He suggested that If the authorities concerned have evidence of involvement of local official in illegal drugs “why don’t they just charge them.”
Gordon’s warning is along the lines of a concerns separately aired by Senator Panfilo Lacson.
Lacson cautioned against the premature disclosure of a narco list. “Until backed by evidence,” Lacson stressed that “a narco list remains unvalidated and should only be used for intelligence purposes in order to assist law enforcement in pursuing their case buildup with the end in view of filing appropriate criminal charges against those in the list.”
Lacson, who served as National Police Chief before joining the Senate, voiced concern that “making it public is unjust and unfair to those who may be delisted later, worse after the elections.”
Lacson recalled that this happened before, warning that “it could happen again.”