VP Sara: Up to Mans, Paolo to answer drug issues

DAVAO CITY, Philippines — Vice President Sara Duterte said she will let her husband Manases Carpio and brother Davao City First District Rep. Paolo Duterte answer allegations linking them to drug smuggling cases in 2017.

“Mans and I have talked about this. Whatever issue is thrown at him, he has to answer. Whatever issues thrown at me, I have to answer. That way, the line is clear,” Duterte said during one of the activities in celebration of the 39th Kadayawan sa Dabaw festival yesterday.

“Unfortunately, I cannot speak for my brother as he already issued a statement regarding the matter,” Duterte added.

The Vice President said the cases filed against her husband, brother and several other people are part of a political harassment and political attacks.

“I hope the people will not forget that the problem really is poverty and the continuing increase in prices of commodities,” she added.

Carpio, Paolo and former presidential economic adviser Michael Yang were implicated by a former Bureau of Customs intelligence officer to an illegal drug shipment in 2017, which was intercepted in Pampanga.

Duterte also confirmed yesterday that her siblings Paolo and Davao City Mayor Sebastian Duterte recently met with their mother, Elizabeth Zimmerman, and father, former president Rodrigo Duterte.

However, she said the meeting was focused on discussing Zimmerman’s real birth date as her birthday is usually celebrated twice a year.

“There was no discussion of any politics,” she added.