Alvarez refers probe on Espino to House committee
Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO/LYN RILLON
Speaker Pantaleon “Bebot” Alvarez on Thursday said he would leave it to the appropriate House of Representatives committee to look into the alleged drug link of Pangasinan Rep. and former governor Amado Espino.
READ: Duterte matrix out; tags De Lima, ex-Pangasinan gov, others
In an interview, Alvarez said he has yet to talk to the congressman who was linked by President Rodrigo Duterte to be in cahoots with Senator Leila De Lima in the drug trade inside the National Bilibid Prison.
Alvarez said he would probably keep in touch with Espino on Tuesday, since Monday is a non-working holiday.
“Kailangan din tingnan natin. Hindi naman ibig sabihin pag andun pangalan mo kami rito sa Kongreso, may gagawin din na drastic,” Alvarez said.
“We have to look into that may mga proper committees para tingnan ang problema ito,” he added.
Alvarez however did not name a specific committee which could look into the allegation.
Espino has denied Duterte’s allegation linking him to the illegal drug trade.
READ: Pangasinan Rep. Espino denies alleged drug ties
Earlier, Duterte also linked former Guimaras Rep. JC Rahman Nava and former Bolinao mayor, now Pangasinan Rep. Jesus “Boying” Celeste, as included on his list of narcopoliticians.
READ: Rody names politicians, judges, cops allegedly into illegal drugs
Majority floor leader Ilocos Norte Rep. Rudy Fariñas had said Celeste need not explain to the Speaker his side on the allegations because it happened before his term as congressman.
READ: Solons open to drug test after Duterte bares ‘narco’ list
