Paolo Duterte, Mans Carpio to attend Senate hearing on P6.4-B shabu mess

Davao City Vice Mayor and presidential son Paolo Duterte and presidential son-in-law Maneses "Mans" Carpio will attend the Senate inquiry into the P6.4 billion worth of shabu from China that would up in a Valenzuela warehouse without passing through customs inspection.

"We have received an invitation from the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee to attend their hearing on Thursday, September 7," their statement read.

"We duly recognize the coercive powers of the Senate of the Philippines as part of the legislative branch of government and their authority to conduct an inquiry in aid of legislation," they added.

"We commit to respect the invitation and attend the hearing."

Senator Richard Gordon on Monday announced the invitation during an interview on Unang Balita.

Senator Antonio Trillanes IV, a critic of President Rodrigo Duterte, said Gordon may have decided to invite Duterte and Carpio because of public pressure.

Customs fixer Mark Taguba previously mentioned Duterte and Carpio in connection with questions about the Davao Group, before later absolving the two of involvement in corrupt activities at the BOC, saying his information was merely based on hearsay. —JST/KVD, GMA News