Duterte may appoint officials under investigation to other posts — Gordon

There is no law prohibiting President Rodrigo Duterte from appointing government officials under investigation to other posts, Senator Richard Gordon said.

"Wala namang batas na ganun e," he said in a Super Radyo dzBB interview on Sunday, adding that a person may be appointed to a government post while they have not yet been proven guilty.

"Kung ganun ang mangyayari, wala na tayong maa-appoint. Kakasuhan na lang ng kakasuhan ng mga kalaban 'yan," he added.

Gordon made the remark in response to Duterte's announcement that embattled Customs Commissioner Isidro Lapeña would be transferred to the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA).

Lapeña is currently in hot water after empty magnetic lifters were discovered in a warehouse in General Mariano Alvarez, Cavite in August. They are believed to have contained billions of pesos' worth of shabu that slipped into the country past the Bureau of Customs.

Initially denying the existence of illegal substances, Lapeña said he is now inclined to believe that the lifters had contained shabu after hearing the testimonies made during the inquiry at the House of Representatives on the matter last Wednesday.

Despite the ongoing probe, Duterte announced that Lapeña would be transferred to TESDA.

Gordon, who chairs the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee investigating the smuggling incident, said it is well within Duterte's power to appoint Lapeña to TESDA, adding that during the latter's leadership BOC revenue collection has increased.

"Alam mo, as a leader, ako nag-mayor din ako, si Presidente, nag-mayor din, mas kilala niya ang mga taong yan kesa sa atin. Alam niya rin na nilagay niya yan at tumaas naman [ang koleksyon ng BOC). So pwede siyang i-promote dahil tumaas e," he said.

Gordon also said that there is no conclusive evidence yet that could prove that Lapeña is liable for the shabu smuggling incident.

"Sa akin, wala pa namang katibayan 'yan so I will trust the President because he is the one appointing. Pero the President should trust us also na hahanapan namin kung meron. Kung meron, bahala na siya," he said.

"Hayaan mo muna siya mag-appoint, mahuhuli rin naman 'yang mga 'yan e. Kung ako doon sa mga maa-appoint, lalo kong gagawin ang trabaho ko," he added.

Maritime Industry Authority administrator Rey Leonardo Guerrero will replace Lapeña in the BOC. — Erwin Colcol/BM, GMA News