Koko: file cases against those in 'narco-list'

PDP-Laban President Aquilino "Koko" Pimentel III today urged the Department of Justice (DOJ) to begin filing cases against those included in the government's "narco list," a list that contains the names of politicians allegedly involved in illegal drugs.

This after President Rodrigo Duterte on Thursday evening issued the list, stressing that "there is a compelling reason to prioritize the state and the people."

"As your president, my ultimate concern is the pursuit of order in government," stressed the President.

Pimentel said that since the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) and other law enforcement agencies had vetted the list naming 46 individuals-45 sitting officials and one former official-cases should immediately be filed, regardless of whether the incumbent officials named were currently running for office.

"If you committed a crime, you should be charged immediately, regardless of whether you are running in the midterm elections or not. Running for office does not grant you immunity," said the senator from Mindanao.

Pimentel said that as the party of the President, PDP-Laban was "fully supportive of the government's war on illegal drugs."

"There is no need to debate about the need to stamp out illegal drugs and to jail those who are involved in their proliferation. There are lives at stake here," added Pimentel.

Pimentel said that he together with other PDP-Laban officials would go over the list to see if there were candidates who were members of the party.

"In the interest of fairness and due process, we'll send formal notice to any member included in the list. He or she can opt to defend himself or herself against the allegations, or choose to voluntarily resign," said the lawyer.

According to the former Bar topnotcher, "we will then evaluate that member's membership after considering everything that is presented before us, possibly including outside independent evidence if such is available."

"We will respect our members' rights to due process, but if a PDP-Laban member needs to be sanctioned or removed, so be it."