If Paolo was into it, show me the affidavit – Duterte
Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte (File photo by BULLIT MARQUEZ / AP)
President Rodrigo Duterte on Friday night challenged the accusers of Vice Mayor Paolo Duterte to produce evidence that his son was involved in corruption activities.
“If my son was really into it, all you have to do is to produce the paper. Because there are two kinds of evidence, oral pati documentary,” Duterte said in a speech during the founding anniversary of the Southern Philippines Medical Center in Davao City.
“Sabi ko, just give me an affidavit and I will step down as President of this Republic,” he added.
The President said that “is my commitment to you now, that is my word.”
Customs broker Mark Taguba earlier dropped several names of government officials who were on the take from smugglers during a congressional hearing on August 6.
One of the names that cropped up was Duterte’s son, Paolo, who immediately denied the accusations.
Just rumor
During the congressional hearing, the broker said it was only a rumor. The younger Duterte dared Taguba to show proof because all the statements being issued were based on hearsays.
During his speech, Duterte mentioned the “ruckus” at the Bureau of Customs where some officials were allegedly involved in illegal activities following the shipment of the P6.4-billion worth of illegal drugs from China that slipped through the agency.
“Recently, itong ruckus diyan sa Customs. Alam ko every now and then, my name, my son’s name mag-mention sila. Tapos sinabi ko na ‘yan sa kanila, the mere mention of our name means corruption,” he said.
On Wednesday, Duterte said he was ready to resign if the corruption allegation against his son was proven.
“Corruption was really one [thing] I do not like. Pati ‘yung anak ko ngayon, sinasali diyan sa Customs. I told you before and I’m telling you now again, kung sino sa mga anak ko ma-involve sa corruption, I will immediately resign. That, you have my word,” he said in a speech during a business forum in Mandaluyong City.
