Palace: Duterte believes Paolo, Mans can handle Senate smuggling probe
Davao City Vice Mayor Paolo Duterte and Atty. Manases "Mans" Carpio were invited by the Senate after their names were implicated as behind the Davao group that facilitated the entry of the anomalous shabu shipment. File photos
MANILA, Philippines — The Malacañang on Thursday said the president's son Davao City Vice Mayor Paolo Duterte and son-in-law Manases "Mans" Carpio are both ready to face the Senate probe into the into the P6.4-billion worth of shabu shipment from China.
In a statement, Presidential Spokesperson Ernesto Abella said that President Rodrigo Duterte will not meddle in his family's testimonies before the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee.
"Today’s appearance of Davao City Vice Mayor Paolo Duterte and Atty. Manases Carpio before the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee demonstrates that both gentlemen are willing and ready to face malicious allegations intended to impugn their character and credibility," Abella said.
"The President has said in numerous occasions that he would not interfere and he believes that both gentlemen, Vice Mayor Duterte and Atty Carpio, can hold their own at the Senate," he added.
The younger Duterte and Carpio were invited by the Senate after their names were implicated by Customs broker Mark Taguba as behind the Davao group that facilitated the entry of the anomalous shabu shipment.
The president earlier advised his son to invoke his right to remain silent once questioned.
On Wednesday, however, the president advised Paolo and Mans to "just tell the truth" to the Senate.
The Senate Blue Ribbon is also determining the possible malfeasance of the Customs officials in the controversial shipment.
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