MANILA, Philippines — President Rodrigo Duterte has asked Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon to explain his alleged ties with Janet Lim-Napoles, the alleged mastermind of the pork barrel scam, and two other personalities he had linked to the drug trade.
During a taped briefing aired on Saturday, Duterte again lashed out at Drilon and Senator Richard Gordon as the Senate blue ribbon committee continues to investigate the procurement of alleged overpriced medical supplies in 2020.
“Itong si Drilon he might want to explain his relationship with Janet Lim-Napoles since you want to discuss corruption and the use of people’s money. I can still remember that Ms. Napoles tampered with billions of pesos,” said Duterte.
“How did you end up partying in Heritage Park in Taguig with Napoles? Could you call that a perfect coincidence? You claimed that you have only met Napoles 10 times but the photos show your closeness. And is it true that Napoles contributed P5 million to your campaign?” he said.
Aside from Napoles, Duterte also asked Drilon about his alleged connection with former Iloilo City Mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog and retired police general Marcelo Garbo Jr.
“Since you have proclaimed yourself and your friends there in the Senate as anti-corruption czar, please enlighten me, Mr. Senator. Can you explain to the Filipinos your connection with former mayor Jed Mabilog and General Garbo? Aren’t they both connected in the illegal drug trade?“ Mga tao ninyo noon sa panahon niyo (They are your men in the past),” the President said.
On top of these, Duterte further asked the opposition senator to identify the owner of the biggest mall in Iloilo City and who “brokered” the sale of the Old Iloilo City Airport to Megaworld. Drilon hails from Iloilo.
In a statement, Drilon dismissed Duterte’s remarks as “malicious attacks” and “old news.”
“We will not be distracted. We will not let distractions and disinformation prevail. All I heard is old news – the Napoles issue, Jed Mabilog, and Gen. Garbo,” he said.
“I cannot comprehend why the President wanted me to explain my connection with former Mayor Jed Mabilog and Gen. Garbo. But what I can say is, there is not an iota of evidence that will link my name to illegal drugs,” said Drilon.
“If all these malicious attacks are the price we have to pay for exposing the truth, then be it. We will face them,” he added.