Lacson says he can relate with Duterte over ‘false, malicious’ claims against son

Senator Panfilo Lacson on Thursday said he can relate with President Rodrigo Duterte as the latter’s son, Davao City Vice Mayor Paolo Duterte, faces the Senate probe on the P6.4-billion shabu shipment smuggled from China.

During the Senate blue ribbon committee hearing, Lacson defended the “tara” list he presented during a privilege speech last August 23. In the said speech, Lacson accused several Customs officials, including former Commissioner Nicanor Faeldon, of receiving tara or bribes.

Faeldon was a no-show at the Senate probe for the second time despite the committee’s issuance of a subpoena.

“We vetted correctly and very objectively all the information we received...What did Faeldon do? Instead of confronting the issue. He accused my son of being a cement smuggler,” Lacson said, referring to Panfilo “Pampi” Lacson Jr.

Lacson defended his son from the allegations of Faeldon, saying it was impossible that the shipments of Pampi were undervalued because there is zero tariff for cement.

“He diverted the issue. Nagbula bibig. Nag-hire ng PR firms. Nagpakita ng bahay na sira-sira at nag-accuse,” Lacson said.

“That’s why I also feel what President Duterte feels. I’m not prejudging anybody here, with my apologies to Senator [Antonio] Trillanes. Ganoon din kasakit. Nandito si Paolo inimbita namin dahil may accusation and it’s up to him to defend himself. As a father -- at alam kong mali sinasabi ni Faeldon that’s why I confronted the issue head-on,” he added.

Lacson said the claims against his son are “false and malicious.”

Paolo Duterte was in attendance at the Senate probe after Trillanes moved to invite him, as well as his brother-in-law, lawyer Manases Carpio. — RSJ, GMA News