QUEZON City, Philippines (Eagle News) – Malacañang has refused to comment on allegations that Davao City Vice Mayor Paolo Duterte was involved in the bribery issue in the Bureau of Customs, pending an inquiry into the matter.
“We defer any comments after all there’s an inquiry going on and the President’s position is always that he doesn’t interfere,” Presidential Spokesman Ernesto Abella said in a press briefing.
He said that President Rodrigo Duterte is leaving it up to Congress to look into the matter.
Furthermore, Abella said that all accusations should be verified and that the credibility of the accuser should also be investigated.
“Unang-una, everything needs to be vetted even if somebody says that,” Abella said.
“Especially the witness, is this a credible witness? Again, there has to be verifiable evidence. Hindi lang basta hearsay,” Abella said, referring to customs fixer Mark Taguba,
Abella also said that the Palace is also leaving it up to the new Customs Commissioner, Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency Director Isidro Lapeña, to resolve the problems that the BOC is facing.
During a Senate hearing, Taguba alleged that the Davao vice mayor was engaged in bribery in the BOC.
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