‘Duterte may face impeachment over narco list’

MANILA, Philippines — President Duterte could be impeached for allegedly violating the Constitution by releasing the so-called narco list, opposition Rep. Tom Villarin of Akbayan party-list said yesterday.

“As President of the Republic, Duterte’s powers are not absolute nor can he justify putting the state in order by infringing on an individual’s right to due process and presumption of innocence,” Villarin said.

He said there was no compelling reason to violate such right “as we have a functioning court system where charges can be filed against these individuals.” 

“This could constitute an impeachable offense for culpable violation of the Constitution,” he added.

Villarin urged the President not to pursue his anti-drug war “at the expense of our Constitution.”

He said Duterte should not resort to trial by publicity “especially during an election season where political violence heightens.”

“With the list out, it is now open season for political assassinations. It has now become game for political rivals to assume that death warrants have been served against their opponents,” Villarin said.

Three congressmen allegedly involved in drugs are on the list.

One of them, Vicente Veloso of Leyte, said he would ask the House of Representatives to look into how concerned officials came up with the listing.

He denied the accusation against him and vowed to file charges against those behind his inclusion in the supposed document.

He also urged the President to fire officials who gave him what he described as wrong information.

‘Diversionary tactic’

Otso Diretso senatorial candidates branded yesterday as a “diversionary tactic” and “abuse of power” the release of the narco list.

Magdalo Rep. Gary Alejano said Duterte’s release of the list of politicians allegedly involved in drugs is “abuse of power and discretion, which tramples on the rights of every individual to due process.”

“The public-shaming that the government is resorting to is aimed to intimidate and control the local politicians in the coming elections. This is a mere show of bravado to make the people believe that the war on drugs is working. It is not,” he said.

Former solicitor general Florin Hilbay echoed Alejano’s statement, calling Duterte’s narco list mere “tsismis” or gossip.

Hilbay said the government should focus on more pressing issues, including the water crisis and the high of prices of commodities.

Former Quezon representative Erin Tañada slammed the government for turning a blind eye on the real problems that beset Filipinos every day.

Detained Sen. Leila de Lima expressed hope that the narco list released by Duterte was accurate and no one was falsely accused like her.

An international rights group said the release of names of politicians allegedly involved in drugs is an attempt to influence the midterm elections.

Carlos Conde, researcher of Human Rights Watch-Asia Division, said Duterte’s list deprived those who were tagged as narco politicians of due process and the presumption of innocence. – With Helen Flores, Robertzon Ramirez, Rhodina Villanueva