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Bato clears VP Sara’s husband, Polong in drug smuggling
By Nidz Godino
“Especially Mans Carpio, exercises every day…you can’t see signs of drugs there… Polong wants to do hair follicle test…let’s test him,” Sen. Ronald dela Rosa told reporters while planning to conduct investigation into allegations of former Bureau of Customs intelligence officer implicating Davao City 1st District Rep. Paolo Duterte and Vice President Sara Duterte’s husband, lawyer Manases Carpio, in drug smuggling, he virtually cleared them.
In interview with Senate reporters Dela Rosa said there were no indications Carpio was involved in illegal drug activities, while Paolo could undergo hair follicle drug testing to detect evidence of drug use or misuse.
The senator, from Davao, was first chief of Philippine National Police (PNP) under Duterte administration. He ran and won Senate seat in 2019.
During House quad committee hearing, former Customs intelligence officer Jimmy Guban linked Paolo, Carpio and Chinese businessman Michael Yang, served as economic adviser of former president Rodrigo Duterte, to smuggling of illegal drugs, including P11 billion worth of shabu confiscated in 2018.
Dela Rosa disclosed he would file resolution to conduct investigation parallel to House quad committee probe.
“Only thing I wonder about Guban’s statement is that he claimed Duterte administration forced him to include name of former senator Antonio Trillanes IV, involved in magnetic lifter, clear that it was new script, that it was scripted statement, even if I, myself, hate Trillanes, I don’t believe that he is involved in drugs…accusation is that Trillanes is involved in coup against Duterte, it is still possible…but with drugs, no one will believe that,” he said.
Carpio denied his involvement in smuggling of illegal drugs, saying allegations are “entirely baseless and maliciously false.”
Carpio dismissed allegations of Guban and expressed confidence in the ability of members of House of Representatives to “distinguish between fact and fiction.”
“Public and esteemed members of House of Representatives are, I trust, perceptive enough to recognize that Mr. Guban’s claims, implicating Congressman Polong and myself, are unmistakably politically motivated,” Carpio was quoted as saying.
The Vice President earlier considers allegations against her husband and brother as “political harassment.”
Last Aug. 16, Guban, has been incarcerated for six years after he was convicted for his role in drug smuggling operations, appeared during second joint hearing of House quad committee.
Guban was tasked to release narcotics shipment allegedly owned by Paolo, Carpio and Yang.
Guban also alleged former first family tried to exert their influence over shipment.
“It has always been my personal policy and guiding principle to remain entirely separate from politics or any government-related matters…as private citizen and practicing lawyer, my sole concern is welfare of my family and diligent protection of my clients’ rights and interests, indeed, Mr. Guban himself unequivocally admitted before quad com he had fabricated statements in affidavits he submitted during Senate inquiry and court proceedings,” Carpio said.
Guban’s allegations mirror previous ones, including drug smuggling charges and graft against Paolo, Carpio and former Bureau of Customs commissioner Nicanor Faeldon in connection with shipment of P6.4 billion worth of shabu in 2017.
Political bickering between Dela Rosa and other House members continues to heat up, as the senator vowed to continue his tirades against those he described as “opportunists” who changed their tune on war on drugs.
Dela Rosa, apologized to Antipolo Rep. 2nd District Romeo Acop, he clarified was not subject of his tirades for being opportunists.
Dela Rosa graduated from Philippine Military Academy in 1986 while Acop belonged to PMA Class of 1970.
“Let me clarify, Gen. Acop, sir, you were not one I criticized…you were never sipsip to Duterte administration… I never heard you sing praises to war on drugs of Duterte administration, so I’m wondering why you reacted…you’re not the one I’m hitting,” Dela Rosa said.
“Sipsip” is Filipino vernacular for someone who acts obsequiously toward someone important to gain advantage.
“I’m very sorry if you reacted that way… I have high respect to Cong. Acop, that’s one of PMAer who became national politician that I admire…there are two of them, including senator Panfilo Lacson; they are my idols…sorry if you were offended by what I said,” Dela Rosa stressed.
The senator earlier described some House members as opportunists, who used to praise previous administration’s war on drugs, but now that elder Duterte is no longer in power, are strongly criticizing it.
Acop, turned tables on Dela Rosa, saying the senator was opportunist and lapdog of Duterte administration.
Dela Rosa would not respond to Acop’s tirades.
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