Who is in a position to do it?

There is a phrase that Japanese politicians favor using. That is, "I am not in a position to do it.

In 2017, then-Prime Minister Abe was suspected to have extended facilities for establishing a new faculty at Kakei Gakuen. The school's president held a press conference and denied the allegation. When Abe was asked to comment on the press conference, he said, "As the government, I am not in a position to comment."

This sounds weird to me. The Japanese Constitution guarantees freedom of speech, so no one needs anyone's permission to express an opinion.

We also heard a familiar phrase in "cherry-blossom party" scandal. "I am not in a position to know about the specific facts," said then-Prime Minister Suga. I am not in a position to know. ...... Perhaps he meant that he does not want to know the facts.

In what position are politicians then? Are they in a position to keep spewing lies to citizens and pursue self-interests? I hope they are not in a position to do so, but in a position to be sincere in dealing with many social problems.