A member of the House of Representatives included in President Rodrigo Duterte’s list of narco-politicians failed to get immediate relief from the Supreme Court in his bid to clear his name of alleged involvement in the illegal drug trade.
Leyte Rep. Vicente Veloso filed a petition for writ of habeas data before the high court on April 25 after the President made public his so-called narco-list before the May 13 elections.
However, the SC has since not acted on the petition, despite holding two en banc sessions already, a special session on May 3 and the resumption of regular session on June 4.
The court likewise has not issued the writ sought by the petitioner that would have required respondents led by Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea to answer the petition.
SC insiders disclosed the magistrates did not see urgency to act on the petition of Veloso, who was reelected as third district representative.
It was not clear when the magistrates will tackle the case again in their succeeding en banc sessions.
In his petition, Veloso urged the SC to immediately issue the writ of habeas data ordering the Palace to “disclose to petitioner the person or persons who included his name in the President’s March 14, list of narco-politicians and to disclose his or their factual and legal bases.”
The lawmaker also sought an order “enjoining the respondents from further including the name of petitioner in any derogatory list that besmirches his reputation and/or violate his right to life, liberty or security.”
Lastly, Veloso asked the SC to also immediately order the Philippine National Police to release to him his two security details previously approved by the Commission on Elections.
Veloso vehemently denied his alleged involvement in the illegal drug trade, claiming he is a “devout Catholic” who could never be a protector of drug lords.
He said such accusation was politically motivated.
“The malicious, last minute inclusion of petitioner’s name is evident because the insertion of his name, the person who inserted said name forgot to put figure 1 opposite petitioner’s name,” he said in his 15-page petition.
