Palace says photos showing Paolo Duterte with Kenneth Dong mere propaganda

Presidential spokesperson Ernesto Abella. INQUIRER PHOTO/JOAN BONDOC

Malacañang on Monday dismissed as mere “propaganda” the photos showing Davao City Vice Mayor Paolo Duterte with a Cebu businessman who was linked to the P6.4-billion shabu shipment at the Bureau of Customs (BOC).

Netizens were recently abuzz over online photos of the presidential son with Cebu businessman Kenneth Dong.

Dong was earlier tagged by Customs broker Mark Taguba as the alleged middleman of Richard Tan, owner of the company which transported the shipment with billions worth of shabu to a warehouse in Valenzuela City.

Presidential Spokesperson Ernesto Abella said Paolo was a victim of “trial by publicity,” adding that  accusers of the presidential son should file cases in court and show evidence to prove their allegations.

“Kung talagang serious ang allegations, then they should raise up the issue in the proper venue. Hindi lang yung paikot-ikot kasi siyempre at the end of the day, what does it become? It becomes trial by publicity,” Abella said in an ambush interview with reporters in Malacañang.

Taguba earlier dropped several names in the government who were receiving bribes from smugglers.

One of the names that cropped up was Duterte’s son, Paolo, who immediately denied the accusations.

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 rumors.

The President has said that he would resign if his son was proven to be engaging in corruption activities.