Duterte on son’s alleged shady BOC deals: Prove it and I’ll resign

President Rodrigo Duterte (fourth from left) attends the inauguration of a Solar Philippines factor in Sto. Tomas, Batangas, on Wednesday, Aug. 23, 2017. (Photo by NESTOR CORRALES / INQUIRER.net)

STO. TOMAS, Batangas — President Rodrigo Duterte dared Wednesday accusers of his son, Davao City Vice Mayor Paolo Duterte, to present evidence of corrupt dealings with the Bureau of Customs (BOC), vowing to resign if the accusations could be proven.

“This is a nationwide broadcast. So I might as well tell you: I am not defending my son. Prove it is true, and I will resign,” Duterte said in a speech during the inauguration of Solar Philippines, a solar panel factory here.

Paolo’s name has been dragged into the corruption issue at the BOC after he was linked with the Davao Group, allegedly with dubious deals at the agency.

“Sabi ko nga, anyone involved in my family, nasa corruption, bababa ako pagka-Presidente. No excuses, no apologies. Pero yung totoo lang. Now, all they have to do is to prove kasi ’yung dating ’yung – it’s a rehash actually of during the last elections,” Duterte said.

The President also defended his son from critics who claimed he was smuggling goods through Customs.

He explained how his son was involved in shipping goods.

“Eh kung magtanong lang kayo nasa pantalan, palaging nasa pantalan ‘yan, tumutulong sa in-laws niya,” he said. “Eh walang hanapbuhay eh. And he has to earn his keep and he had to work for the family.”

The President was referring to the family of Paolo’s former wife, Lovelie Sangkola.

“Kung ’yung mga, ’yung mga jars, ukay- ukay, ‘yung pinapalusot ng in-laws niya, if that is smuggling, then give me an accounting and I will resign. Walang problema ’yan sa akin,” he said.

The chief executive had earlier said he would be ready to resign if the corruption allegation against his son could be proven true.

“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. /atm