CJ Sereno sends letter to President Duterte re: judges on ‘drug list’

Expressing her concerns over the inclusion of judges in the list of ‘narco-officials’ recently made public by President Rodrigo Duterte, Supreme Court Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno has reportedly wrote a letter to Malacañang on Monday, August 8.

According to Rappler, Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre personally received the letter on Monday morning.

  While the content of the letter remains undisclosed, SC spokesperson Theodore Te, said the letter is “articulating her concerns over the public declaration made by the President.”

On Sunday, August 7, the President revealed the names of more than 150 individuals – former and incumbent public officials – who are allegedly involved in illegal drug trade in the country.

The ‘drug list’ include eight names from the judiciary. They are” Judge Mupas of Dasmariñas City, Cavite; Judge Reyes, Baguio City; Judge Savilo, Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 13, Iloilo City; Judge Casiple, Kalibo, Aklan; Judge Rene Gonzales, Municipal Trial Court (MTC); Judge Navidad, RTC-Calbayog City; and Judge Ezekiel Dagala MTC Judge Dapa, Siargao.

  While Duterte did not reveal the extent of their involvement, the President vowed thorough investigation into the background of these judges before appropriate charges will be filed against them.

He also urged all the names in the list to come out and clear their name, or suffer the consequences.

  Metro Manila mayors, next?

  Meanwhile, Interior Secretary Ishmael Sueno hinted in an interview on Monday that some Metro Manila mayors might be included in the next list to be announced by the President in the coming days.

  Without going into details, Sueno said the investigating team is still gathering evidences against Metro Manila officials to prove their links to illegal drugs.

“Basta taga-Metro Manila talagang validate nang validate iyan kasi talagang iniipon iyung mga ebidensya laban sa kanila,” said Sueno.

[For those coming from Metro Manila, thorough validation is being done to collect all the evidence against them.]

What he can assure, Sueno added, is that Duterte will definitely not spare anyone – friends included – in his massive campaign to rid the country of illegal drugs.

Daily News 10:46 PM