Paolo Duterte OK with probe, but says it must not be based on hearsay

Rep. Paolo Duterte —Photo by City Information Office

MANILA, Philippines — Davao City Rep. Paolo Duterte has expressed willingness to face a more comprehensive investigation from an “impartial and credible body”, as long as it will not be based on hearsay testimony—like that from former Customs intelligence official Jimmy Guban.

In a statement on Wednesday, Duterte addressed the House of Representatives’ quad committee recommendations for further investigations of his and other individuals’ links to the illegal drug trade, saying that he is committed to clearing their name.

“I welcome any investigation to be conducted by an impartial and credible body, as I have nothing to hide. I remain committed to clearing our name and confident that the truth will expose the baseless nature of these accusations,” Duterte said.

READ: Rep. Duterte denies knowing Guban, calls him not credible as witness

“However, I must stress that any call for investigation must be based on credible evidence, not on pure hearsay testimony from convicted felon like Jimmy Guban. These testimonies, obtained under the guise of a witness protection program in exchange for furloughs, lack credibility and only undermine the integrity of any legitimate inquiry,” he added.

According to Duterte, Congress should look at individuals listed in the drug watchlist crafted during the time of his father, former president Rodrigo Duterte.

“If Congress is truly serious about addressing the proliferation of illegal drugs, they must begin by investigating those listed in the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) watchlist during the Duterte administration. This includes scrutinizing their own members, especially those whose family members have been implicated in drug activities,” Duterte said.

“Selective justice and political grandstanding have no place in this fight. To clear my name, I have already filed several perjury charges against convicted felon Jimmy Guban. This is just the first step in ensuring accountability for those who spread falsehoods and attempt to tarnish reputations with fabricated stories,” he added.

Earlier, quad committee lead presiding officer and Surigao del Norte Rep. Robert Ace Barbers said that the four panels refrained from recommending complaints against several key personalities like Duterte and the following:

Regarding illegal drug trade and shabu importation:

• Davao City Rep. Paolo Duterte
• Davao Councilor Nilo Abellera Jr.
• former Presidential Task Force on Media Security director Paul Gutierrez
• former Environment undersecretary Benny Antiporda
• a certain Tita Nanie
• a certain Allen Capuyan

READ: Deeper probe needed into Alice Guo, Yang, Paolo Duterte – Quad comm 

Rep. Duterte’s name was mentioned in the first-ever quad committee hearing last August 16 at Bacolor, Pampanga, when Guban said that Antiporda sent Gutierrez to warn him that he would die if he name-drops the lawmaker, his brother-in-law Manases Carpio, and Michael Yang as involved in the missing illegal drugs in 2018.

READ: ‘Don’t name Paolo Duterte, Mans Carpio, Yang in 2018 shabu import mess’

Guban said Gutierrez, supposedly part of Antiporda’s staff, relayed the death threat and said that his child could be kidnapped if he mentioned Duterte, Carpio, and Yang in the congressional hearings.

The Senate and the House were then hearing the issue of illegal drugs concealed inside magnetic lifters.

Duterte denied knowing Guban, noting that the former Customs official cannot be considered a star witness because he was cited for contempt by the Senate in the past.

Duterte denied knowing Guban, noting that the former Customs official cannot be considered a star witness because he was cited for contempt by the Senate before.

Duterte said the quad committee must pursue “genuine and unbiased investigations.”

“The nation deserves nothing less than the truth and a sincere commitment to the fight against illegal drugs. Let us not be distracted by politically motivated accusations or unreliable testimonies,” he said. “Let the facts speak, and let justice prevail.”