Zarate says expenses for son’s education came from ‘honest, legitimate sources’

Bayan Muna party-list Representative Carlos Zarate on Tuesday said the expenses for the studies of his son in Poland came from “honest and legitimate sources.”

This was after President Rodrigo Duterte accused Zarate of using money collected by the New People’s Army to pay for his son’s education.

In a statement, Zarate confirmed that his only son, Xandro, went to Poland in September 2017 and took up philosophy at Pope John Paul II University, but he came back to the Philippines in July 2019 to complete his bachelor’s degree here.

“His tuition, board and other expenses were mainly sponsored by relatives residing abroad. His mother, a lawyer, and I also supported him within our means of income,” Zarate said.

“The expenses for his studies and upkeep came from honest and legitimate sources,” he added.

Duterte, in a nationally-televised briefing with Cabinet officials, cast doubt on how Zarate finances his son’s education abroad.

He said that Zarate’s mother, who was said to be paying for his son’s education, is already old and has no source of income.

“Kung ang sweldo mo, Zarate, ‘yan ang ginagastos mo para sa anak mo, pinapasa mo don sa nanay mo na matanda na, eh you’re pulling everybody’s leg,” Duterte said. “‘Wag mo kaming bolahin.”

“Baka kaya siguro ang ginagastos mo ‘yong perang kinokolekta ng mga NPA dito. Hindi nila alam na ang kinokolekta nila pumupunta ‘yan doon sa mga lider, malalaki ang kita tapos sila hirap. ‘Yan ang problema diyan sa mga NPA, nagpapaloko kasi kayo,” he added.

Ready to talk 

Duterte also said he wants to talk with Zarate, adding that the lawmaker could even bring former Senator Antonio Trillanes IV as a bodyguard.

“Gusto kitang makausap kung talagang lalaki ka. Okay na ‘yang komunista ka. Kung lalaki ka talaga, tanggapin mo ang hamon ko. Saan mo gusto tayong magkita? O gusto mo bodyguard, isama mo na si Trillanes,” Duterte said.

In response, Zarate said he is ready to talk to the President.

“If it is for the benefit of the people, I am always ready and willing to talk,” he said.

It was not the first time that Zarate figured in Duterte’s weekly address to the nation.

In a speech earlier this month, the President mentioned that “the act of one is the act of all...the act of a soldier NPA (New People's Army) is the act of Zarate, the congressman,” seemingly referring to the House Makabayan bloc.

The bloc then urged the President to file charges against them if indeed there is evidence linking them with communist rebels.

“President Duterte and his ilk do not have any credible evidence against us, because if so they would have gone to court a long time ago,” they said.

“They have been saying for the longest time that they have tons of evidence. Then present it in court now, not just rant about it,” they added.

The Makabayan bloc has repeatedly denied that they are members, or even “fronts” of the Communist Party of the Philippines, NPA, or National Democratic Front of the Philippines. — RSJ, GMA News