Negros top execs hit claims linking them to illegal drugs

BACOLOD CITY, Philippines —The top two provincial officials of Negros Occidental, and a former congressman slammed attempts to link them to illegal drugs.

These allegations surfaced and apparently made to coincide with the expected arrival of President Rodrigo Duterte today (October 22) in Bacolod City to attend the ongoing MassKara Festival celebration.

Negros Occidental Governor Alfredo Marañon Jr., Vice Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson and former 4th district Representative Jeffrey Ferrer were accused of closing their eyes to the “on-going illegal drug trade” at a prominent subdivision where they are residing.

Marañon and Ferrer, who vehemently denied the allegations, said they believed that somebody was behind the accusations against them. Lacson, in a statement, also denied the allegations against him.

These allegations came out after similar accusations were also hurled against two prominent figures of the Liberal Party, linking them to the illegal drug trade.

Marañon and Ferrer, in a press conference Friday, said they are taking legal action against those behind the accusations, including a local newspaper, which published the allegations.

Lacson and Ferrer are likely to clash in the Negros Occidental gubernatorial race in the 2019 elections. “The fabricated character assassination against us is politically motivated,” Ferrer declared.

Abang Lingkod party-list Representative Stephen Paduano also said he does not believe the drug allegations against Marañon, Lacson and Ferrer.

Aside from the top Negros Occidental provincial officials, more than 40 policemen assigned in Negros Occidental were also linked earlier to the drug trade. They were immediately relieved from their respective assignments in the province, and reassigned to Mindanao and northern Luzon.

Marañon said he is confident that President Duterte will not believe the allegations hurled against them “ because these are mere gossip that is not backed by evidence."