Pacquiao says he’s convinced Matobato a ‘coached’ witness

Due to supposed inconsistencies in his testimony, Sen. Manny Pacquiao on Thursday said he is convinced that confessed hitman Edgar Matobato is a “coached” witness.

“Because of your testimony, pa-iba-iba siya. So iniisip ko talaga na may nag-co-coach sayo, at may nagtuturo sa iyo,” Pacquiao said when he questioned Matobato at the resumption of the Senate hearing on drug-related killings.

“Pag-apppear mo dito sa Senado, ang statement mo, pag-dinig namin, gulat lahat, galing ng statement. Itong pangalawa, salungat doon sa mga statement mo nung una,” Pacquiao added. “I’m sure may nagturo sa’yo.”

Pacquiao cited for instance the previous statement of Matobato that they were ordered to kidnap and kill bodyguards of former House Speaker Prospero Nograles, who used to be a rival of President Rodrigo Duterte in their hometown Davao City.

In the Thursday hearing, however, Matobato said: “Hindi tao ni Nograles. Tao ni General Palparan at Matillano.”

Senator Antonio Trillanes IV, who secured the safety of Matobato before he appeared in the Senate, clarified that the men of Palparan and Matillano supported Nograles, which Matobato confirmed.

“Bakti nagbago ngayon na nagsalita si Nograles? Kinaklaro ko lang para fair sa lahat. Wala tayong pinapanigan dito, para maliwanagan lang ang buong sambayanang Pilipino,” Pacquiao said.

Pacquiao also refuted Matobato’s claim that he was a bodyguard of President Duterte’s son, incumbent Vice Mayor Paolo Duterte, in his elementary days in Ateneo in Davao City.

“May record ako dito, pinadala ni Paolo Duterte...Hindi siya nag-elementary sa Ateneo, nag-elementary sa Philippines Women’s College,” the senator said.

Matobato admitted to forgetting some details but insisted he was telling the truth. — RSJ, GMA News