Duterte son, son-in-law deny smuggling allegations

President Rodrigo Duterte's son, Davao City Vice Mayor Paolo "Pulong," and son-in-law Manases "Mans" Carpio on Thursday denied allegations stemming from the P6.4-billion shabu shipment mess.

"Once and for all I now have the time to deny any and all baseless allegations thrown against me," said the younger Duterte in a prepared speech during the resumption of the Senate inquiry into the multi-billion smuggling mess.

The vice mayor said he complied with the invitation of the committee as a “gesture of respect” for the Senate.

“My presence here is for the Filipino people and to my fellow Davaoeños to whom I serve...I cannot answer the allegations based on hearsay,” Paolo said.

“In closing, a senator once said that we are a family of murderers and I am untouchable,” he said. Paolo then quoted a member of the city council of Davao, saying: “Every dog has his day. The law of karma will operate especially to those with evil intent.”

Replying to Paolo’s remarks, Senator Antonio Trillanes IV said: “Alam niyo, naniniwala ako sa quote na ‘yun at may karma talaga.”

Before Paolo’s statement, Trillanes presented photos of the vice mayor together with Kenneth Dong, the alleged middleman in the P6.4-billion shabu shipment that slipped past the BOC last May, as well as with alleged smuggler Charlie Tan.

Mans Carpio

Carpio, who also read out a prepared speech, meanwhile denied knowing and ever meeting self-confessed Customs fixer Mark Ruben Taguba.

"I am here before this committee to formally declare that I have no knowledge of or involvement in the illegal drug shipments which is the subject matter of this inquiry," he said.

The lawyer lamented how he and his brother-in law have been "publicly crucified" based on rumors and gossips.

Carpio, who is the husband of President Duterte's daughter Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte, said he was willing to assist the Senate panel "in whatever way I can" as a resource person.

Carpio’s name was mentioned during the blue ribbon probe by Trillanes. The senator claimed Carpio had visited the BOC office.

Carpio explained his presence at the BOC, saying he was merely working on cases, which dates back to the administration of former President Benigno Aquino III.

Paolo and Carpio also said they have no knowledge of the so-called Davao Group, which allegedly collects bribes in exchange for the facilitation of shipments out of the BOC, as well as the so-called "tara" system. — MDM, GMA News