Duterte says cocaine-using presidentiable eludes police by doing drugs in yacht, plane

President Rodrigo Duterte insisted a presidential aspirant in Eleksyon 2022 was using cocaine but has slipped past authorities because he does the illegal act in exclusive places such as yacht or private plane.

"There is a candidate using cocaine. Sabihin ng pulis, bakit hindi natin hinuli, bakit hindi hinuli ng Presidente. Hindi mo alam, mga mayaman, they do it on yacht or in the air. Doon 'yan sila magsupsop," Duterte said Monday during the inauguration of seaport and airport development projects in General Santos City.

(The police will ask, why is haven't we caught this person yet? Why is the president not going after the person. You don't know, the wealthy do it while they are in a yacht or in the air. They get high in those places)

Duterte said he is revealed this so that the public won't blame him later for not disclosing such information.

"Kung maniwala kayo...do not let it [happen] later on, you'll say I did not tell you," he added, still not naming the presidentiable.

Acting presidential spokesperson Karlo Nograles earlier said it is up to the President to name the presidential aspirant who is into illegal drugs, particularly cocaine.

The president talked about the alleged cocaine using presidential aspirant for three times in his three speeches so far.

The Philippine National Police said Sunday it will investigate Duterte's allegation.

PNP chief Police General Dionardo Carlos said the Philippine Drug Enforcement Group (PDEG) will handle the probe.

Malacañang refused to name the presidential candidate being alluded to Duterte as a cocaine user and said disclosing the name would be up to the chief executive.

Duterte's claims happened on the heels of his daughter, Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte's vice presidential bid in tandem with former Senator Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr., the son and namesake of the late dictator.

Duterte has endorsed his close ally, Senator Bong Go, who is also running for president under the PDP-Laban faction of Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi.

The camp of the younger Marcos said it does not feel alluded to and respects the president.

Presidential aspirant Senator Panfilo Lacson on Friday said he is "1,000% sure" that Duterte was not referring to him.

Vice President Leni Robredo has said she favors a surprise drug test for candidates.

Go expressed his willingness to undergo a drug test "anytime, anywhere."

Senator Manny Pacquiao said there must be a mandatory drug test for those who want to secure a post in government, whether elective or appointed.

Presidential aspirant Leody De Guzman, meanwhile, called on Duterte to focus on the supplier of cocaine of the unnamed presidential candidate whom the Chief Executive said was using the illegal drug. He also said the aspirant who is allegedly using cocaine should be caught and undergo rehabilitation.

Further, Manila Mayor Isko Moreno on Friday said presidential aspirants who use drugs may end up being drug lords.—With Ma. Angelica Garcia/LDF, GMA News