MANILA, Philippines — A lifestyle check should be conducted by the National Bureau of Investigation on the son and the son-in-law of President Rodrigo Duterte following allegations that they were involved in smuggling in the country, a draft report of a Senate panel recommended.
Paolo Duterte, the chief executive's son, and Mans Carpio, the son-in-law of the president, should be held more accountable as part of the family of the country's leader, according to a draft report of the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee headed by Sen. Richard Gordon,
"Personalities who, due to their close relationships to persons possessing high authority, are held to higher standards of accountability to the people precisely because of such close relationships," he reasoned.
Despite being an administration ally, Gordon said this is the reason why the two were invited to one of the hearings on the entry of around P6.4 billion worth of methamphetamine or shabu into the country in May.
"Therefore, the Committee decided to request the NBI to include both personalities in the lifestyle checks being conducted," the senator concluded.
Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV, a fierce critic of the president, alleged that the younger Duterte, who is current the Davao City vice mayor, and Carpio were part of the Davao Group which supposedly facilitated the release of shipments at the BOC.
The two also own various local bank accounts which contain hundreds of millions of pesos, according to Trillanes.
For Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte Carpio, the president's daughter, it was still premature to discuss anything about the report since it was still a draft.
She said that if a lifestyle check would be ordered in the final report it would be "unreasonable" since it was based on the gossip of Customs fixer Mark Taguba and the lies of Trillanes.
She also reiterated that they would welcome any probe by the ombudsman as this would allow them to answer the allegations against them and any lifestyle check on her husband.
No charges recommended
Gordon, in the same draft report, did not recommend any charges to be filed against the two members of the president's kin, saying that no evidence was given to establish their connection to the smuggling of drugs or any other contraband through the Bureau of Customs.
According to draft report, issues regarding people close to people of authority have surfaced even during past administrations, and this should be closely examined to guide legislation.
"In this administration, a similar pattern has emerged, with certain members of the First Family being linked to this sordid affair," the report said.
Customs overhaul urged
Aside from the lifestyle check on the younger Duterte and Carpio, the panel is also recommending an overhaul of the Bureau of Customs, perennially rated as one of the government's most corrupt agencies.
Charges are also recommended against individuals named in the report and the officers of the Command Center of the BOC.
Public-Private partnerships can also be explored to help monitor the compliance of the BOC with its targets and the country's Attrition Law, according to the draft document.
Gordon also is calling for the identification, investigation and, if warranted, prosecution of "Tita Nanie," Jojo Bacud, "Jack" and "Noel."