Duterte says grandfather has same surname as Jack Lam

Following his recent order to arrest Jack Lam, President Rodrigo R. Duterte on Sunday said his grandfather bore the same surname as the Chinese gambling tycoon.

"Ako, ang lola ko, Moro — Maranao. Ang tatay ng nanay ko, Chinese — Lam," he said in his speech during the Belenismo Awards 2016 in Tarlac City. He did not elaborate.

"Yung g--o na 'yan, pinaaresto ko. Buti nakaalis 'yan. [Kung hindi], talagang bibigawasan ko," he added.

Lam who is currently facing arrest over charges of bribery and economic sabotage.

Lam's name came to public attention following claims that he tried to bribe Justice Secretary Vitaliano N. Aguirre II to facilitate the release of at least 1,000 Chinese nationals who were rounded up last month for the alleged involvement in illegal online gambling.

According to Duterte, he has received Lam's expression of intent to return to the Philippines and face his charges.

"Sabi ko sige, balik ka. Magbayad daw [siya]. Ako, wala akong problema. Sundin mo lang ang batas, magbayad ka lang sa tama. Walang corruption. I will not allow [it]," he said. — Jon Viktor D. Cabuenas/BM, GMA News