Duterte refutes Acierto's claims anew

President Rodrigo Duterte on Saturday once again refuted claims made by dismissed police official Eduardo Acierto who linked former presidential economic adviser Michael Yang to the illegal drug trade.

"'Yang Michael Yang na 'yan, I can vouch for him because he was in Davao way back in 1988. Pumunta siya sa akin, lahat naman pumupunta ng mayor eh," the president said during a speech in Iloilo City.

Duterte vouched for Yang's innocence the day after Acierto accused the President, together with senatorial candidates Bong Go and Ronald "Bato" Dela Rosa, and Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) director General Aaron Aquino of "protecting" the group led by Yang.

In a video clip released by the media on Friday, Acierto said: "Ito po ay isang pagpapatunay na pino-protektahan nila ni Presidente Rodrigo Roa Duterte, ni Bong Go, ni General Bato dela Rosa, ni DG Aquino, ang grupo ni Michael Yang."

Senate bets Dela Rosa and Go have both denied the accusation, as seen in a report on State of the Nation with Jessica Soho.

On Saturday, the President maintained there was no truth to the ex-cop's "dossier" against Yang.

"Sabi ko, and for the first time, lahat ng dossier, or 'yung mga komple-complaint about Michael Yang having links with drugs, ginawa ni Acierto. Siya lang, and walang ibang papel diyan," Duterte said. —Margaret Claire Layug/LBG, GMA News