The plan to publicize the names of local government unit (LGU) officials allegedly involved in illegal drugs is not a move to shame them in public but to give an opportunity to clear their names, a Malacanang official said Wednesday.
”They (LGU officials) are actually being given the chance to clear their names,” said Presidential Spokesperson Ernesto Abella in a briefing.
The Palace executive noted that since names of these officials were disclosed during the Cabinet meeting last Monday, this “means to say that the process has begun.”
On Tuesday, chief presidential legal counsel Salvador Panelo said the President (Rodrigo R. Duterte) is expected to announce the names of about 27 local government officials allegedly involved in illegal drugs operations.
Abella stressed that no one has been named yet but said these officials “will be contacted” and “should respond accordingly.”
”We are calling the attention of certain people who are thought to be in government positions who are engaged in this (illegal drugs), that they should respond accordingly,” he said.
Abella declined to give hints on who these officials are or where they are located, pointing out that this is the prerogative of the President.
Since the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) oversees local elective officials, Abella said that “an appropriate response from DILG will be demanded.” (Joann Santiago/PNA)
