DAVAO CITY – President Rodrigo Duterte on Thursday released the list of 46 local government officials allegedly linked to illegal drug trade ahead of the May 13 mid-term elections.
Duterte bared the drug list during the National and Regional Peace and Order Council meeting at Arcadia in Davao City here.
“My decision to unmask these drug personalities was anchored on my trust in the government agencies who have vetted and validated the narco-list,” he said before naming the officials.
The President reminded fellow government officials that “public office is a public trust".
“An official’s right to privacy is not absolute and there is a compelling reason to prioritize the interest of the state and the people,” Duterte said.
“As your President, my ultimate concern is the pursuit of order in government and the welfare of the Filipino people. My administration assures you of our dedication to change the lives of Filipinos now, not tomorrow,” he added.
Duterte took special attention to the names which he said had frequently cropped up in the past like dismissed Iloilo City mayor Jed Mabilog, and Daang Bantayan, Cebu Mayor Vicente Loot.
The President said the 46 alleged narco-politicians are only the names which have been validated and vetted by government agencies.
He said there are more names, but it still needs further validation.
Duterte pointed out he is not interested if he bares the names before and after the May election.
"I have no intention to hurt anybody," he said.
Meanwhile, the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) on Thursday filed complaints before the Office of the Ombudsman against the 46 officials.
DILG Secretary Eduardo Año said the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) provided the initial list, as follows:
1. Pasuquin, Ilocos Norte Mayor Ferdinand Dancel Aguinaldo (re-electionist);
2. Ilocos congressman Jesus Celeste (did not file COC);
3. Lasam, Cagayan Valley Mayor Marjorie Apil Salazar (running for councilor);
4. San Rafael, Bulacan Mayor Cipriano Dungao Violago Jr. (re-electionist);
5. Camiling, Tarlac Mayor Erlon Clemente Agustin (re-electionist);
6. Subic, Zambales Mayor Jefferson Fernandez Khonghun (running for vice governor of Zambales);
7. Zambales congressman Jeffrey D. Khonghun (re-electionist);
8. Bay, Laguna Mayor Bruno Tolentino Ramos (did not file COC);
9. Los Baños, Laguna Mayor Caesar Pabalete Perez (re-electionist);
10. Rodriguez, Rizal Mayor Cecilio C. Hernandez (running for vice mayor);
11. Rodriguez, Rizal Vice Mayor Dennis Linco Hernandez (running for mayor);
12. Lemery, Batangas Mayor Eulalio Mendoza Alilio (re-electionist);
13. Ibaan, Batangas Mayor Juan Valencia Toreja (did not file COC);
14. San Pablo City, Laguna Mayor Loreto Sahagun Amante (re-electionist);
15. Teresa, Rizal Mayor Raul S. Palino (re-electionist);
16. Lucena City, Quezon Mayor Roderick Alcantara Alcala (re-electionist);
17. Rizal Province Board Member Rommel Cruz Ayuson (re-electionist);
18. El Nido, Palawan Mayor Nieves Cabuñalda (re-electionist);
19. Culasi, Antique Mayor Ariel Tabugo Alagos Jr. (re-electionist);
20. Iloilo City Mayor Jed Patrick Escalante Mabilog (did not file COC, cannot be located);
21. Hamtic, Antique Mayor Julius Ronald Leyritana Pacificador (running for vice mayor);
22. Maasin, Iloilo Mayor Mariano Malficio Malones Sr. (running for vice mayor);
23. Siegfredo Alfuente Betita of Carles, Iloilo (running for mayor);
24. San Fernando, Cebu Vice Mayor Franz Cabilao Sabalones (did not file COC);
25. Daang Bantayan, Cebu Mayor Vicente Areño Loot (did not file COC);
26. Eastern Visayas congressman Vicente Sofronio Veloso (running for congressman);
27. Sirawai, Zamboanga del Norte Mayor Gamar Ahay Janihim (re-electionist);
28. Midsalip, Zamboanga del Sur Mayor Leonida Albor Angcap (re-electionist);
29. Sinacaban, Misamis Occidental Mayor Crisinciano Enot Mahilac (did not file COC);
30. Clarin, Misamis Occidental Mayor David Mabal Navarro (re-electionist);
31. Calamba, Misamis Occidental Mayor Ezel Tabuelog Villanueva (re-electionist);
32. Oroquieta City Mayor Jason Paredes Almonte (running for congressman);
33. Palimbang, Sultan Kudarat Mayor Abubakar Pendatun Maulana (running for vice mayor);
34. Banga, South Cotabato Mayor Albert Palencia (re-electionist);
35. Sto. Niño, South Cotabato Mayor Pablo Mondejar Matinong Jr. (re-electionist);
36. Lingig, Surigao del Sur Mayor Roberto Malijao Luna Jr. (re-electionist);
37. Talitay, Maguindanao Vice Mayor Abdulwahad M. Sabal (running for mayor);
38. Datu Saudi Ampatuan, Maguindanao Vice Mayor Anida A. Dimaukom (running for mayor);
39. Marawi City Vice Mayor Arafat Alim Salic (did not file COC, at large in connection to Marawi siege);
40. Maguing, Lanao del Sur Vice Mayor Jamal Abinal Pangandamun (re-electionist);
41. Maguing, Lanao del Sur Mayor Mamaulan Abinal Mulok (re-electionist);
42. Talitay, Maguindanao former Mayor Montasser Meling Sabal (running for vice mayor);
43. Datu Montawal, Maguindanao Vice Mayor Ohto Caumbo Montawal (running for mayor, at large);
44. Ampatuan, Maguindanao Mayor Rasul Mabang Sangki (re-electionist);
45. Datu Montawal, Maguindanao Mayor Vicman Kambang Montawal (for vice mayor); and
46. Hadji Muhtamad, Basilan Mayor Jamar Abdulla Mansul (did not file COC). (PNA)
