Pangasinan solon denies alleged links in Bilibid drug trade
MANILA, Philippines — Pangasinan Rep. Amado Espino Jr. on Thursday denied the accusations of President Rodrigo Duterte that he is involved in the illegal drugs trade inside the New Bilibid Prison (NBP).
Duterte's drug matrix branded Espino as the "richest politician in the Northern Luzon" and claimed that he has amassed unexplained wealth.
In a televised news conference, Espino said that he was completely taken aback that he was included in the president's drug matrix.
READ: Duterte matrix tags De Lima, ex-Pangasinan guv in drug trade
The matrix allegedly shows Espino's supposed connections to Sen. Leila de Lima and other officials responsible for the drug network inside the penitentiary.
"I have never been friendly with Senator De Lima, especially since she was instrumental in pursuing the investigation of a fabricated murder case against me at the height of the elections in 2012 to 2013," Espino said.
Espino, former provincial governor, added that Duterte's recent pronouncement was made without the benefit of credible validation.
"It is public knowledge that I am staunchly against illegal drugs and even worked hard for the passage of the Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002 as one of its main authors," the lawmaker said.
The Pangasinan lawmaker called for an investigation on the supposed matrix of the narcotics trade at the NBP.
"Our only request now is for this alleged matrix to be subjected to thorough and objective investigation or validation and for us to be given a chance to present our side and clear our names," Espino said.
De Lima has also questioned the drug matrix showing her alleged involvement in the illegal drug trade and said that she is 100-percent sure of her innocence.
"Like the many tirades thrown at me, these are bound to fail again with all of these trumped-up accusations and worst matrix of all time. Even a 12-year-old can draw such a thing!" the first-term senator said in her official statement.
De Lima stressed that she will not dignify the supposed drug matrix as it "properly belongs to the garbage can."
- Latest
- Trending
