Barangay officials to face drug probe; Duterte meeting Cong. Velasco and wife Wen, other lawmakers in Davao

Presidential spokesperson Ernesto Abella.

ASIDE from mayors, the Duterte administration will also investigate barangay officials in areas where the illegal drugs trade has flourished, Malacañang said on Tuesday.

A memorandum was being drafted to pave the way for the investigation of mayors and barangay captains in places with a high number of drug-related incidents, according to presidential spokesperson Ernesto Abella.

They may be investigated for “serious neglect of duty,” Abella said in a press briefing.

The Department of Interior and Local Government would handle the inquiry, he said.

“They will go through their own due process,” he added.

Asked why barangay captains would be included in the probe, he said the drug incidents usually took place at the barangay level.

“It’s basically area management. If this is your area, that’s your area of responsibility,” he said. - More on Inquirer

Duterte meeting in Davao with lawmakers, others to discuss illegal drugs, priority bills

Cong. Velasco's philanthropist wife, Wen Velasco with President Duterte 

and presidential aide Christopher "Bong" Go in Davao.

Meanwhile, about two weeks before his first State of the Nation Address, President Rodrigo Duterte on Saturday met with some lawmakers to discuss the state of the country and his corresponding plans.

Two senators, two governors, and 12 congressmen from the incoming majority bloc flew all the way to Davao City to meet with the President.

Among those present were Senators Alan Peter Cayetano and Juan Edgardo “Sonny” Angara, Citizens' Battle Against Corruption Rep. Sherwin Tugna, Marinduque Rep. Lord Allan Jay Velasco, Palawan 1st District Rep. Franz Alvarez, and Masbate 3rd District Rep. Scott Davies Lanete.

Also present were Tarlac Governor Susan Yap and Bataan Governor Albert Raymond Garcia.

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Duterte and Velasco

Tugna said PDP-Laban members invited lawmakers who are joining the incoming majority at the House of Representatives.

"[T]hey invited members of congress who are allied with them who are part of the incoming majority. It's a courtesy visit," Tugna explained.

The legislators got a peek at how the President works in his hometown. Duterte, a night owl, met them for about five hours — from around 9:00 Saturday evening to 2:30 Sunday morning.

Angara said the President mostly talked about the illegal drug situation in the country and how he plans to address the issue.

"He mentioned that so many officials are involved. Treason iyon para sa kanya, kasi sila iyong dapat magprotekta pero sila pa naging cause ng paglaganap ng droga sa bansa," Angara said.

[Translation: "He mentioned that so many officials are involved. That amounts to treason for him, because they are the ones who are supposed to protect the country, but they are the reason for the spread of drugs."] - More on CNN Philippines