Caloocan City Vice Mayor Macario “Maca” Asistio III on Friday said he would not tolerate the illicit drug activity of anyone, even of his own brother Luis “Peting” Asistio III.
Reporters chanced upon the vice mayor at the Office of the Ombudsman after he attended a conference in connection with a complaint over billboards put up in Caloocan City.
His brother surrendered to authorities last month and admitted his involvement in the illegal drugs trade.
READ: Asistio scion yields, admits drug use
The vice mayor did not deny his brother’s business of dealing in drugs.
“Alam ko na pusher siya. Hinarap ko na siya (sa pulis) nung mga nakaraang araw … Absolutely ginagawa natin ’yan dahil ’di natin kinukunsinti ang mga ganung activity,” Asistio said.
Asistio said he would let his brother face the consequences of his actions. His brother would also undergo rehabilitation, he added.
“Kung mayroon silang kailangang panagutin sa batas, syempre harapin yung consequences,” Asistio said.
READ: Blood not thicker than water, says Asistio after brother linked to drugs surrenders
The vice mayor said he could only do so much for his brother.
“Talagang ganun eh. Kung sasama tingin sa akin, siguro alam nila na limitado lang ang kaya kong isuporta sa kanya. At saka from the start, noncompromise, kung may pananagutan,” Asistio said.
The brothers are sons of former Caloocan Rep. Luis “Baby” Asistio and nephews of former Caloocan Mayor Macario “Boy” Asistio Jr.
In Quezon City, meanwhile, Mayor Herbert Bautista turned “emotional” after admitting that his brother Councilor Hero Bautista failed the drug test.
Bautista’s brother tested positive for marijuana and “shabu” (methamphetamine hydrochloride).
Some mayors have admitted links to the drug trade at the height of President Rodrigo Duterte’s bloody war on drugs./rga
READ: QC mayor Bautista admits to aides: My brother Hero failed drug test