Palace says Paolo Duterte’s accuser should prove claim

August 10, 2017

President Rodrigo Duterte has no plan to order an investigation against his son, Davao City Vice Mayor Paolo Duterte, who was dragged into corruption issue at the Bureau of Customs.

In a press briefing on Thursday, Presidential Spokesperson Ernesto Abella said whoever is accusing the younger Duterte has the burden of proving the allegation.

"As to that matter, I don't know. But it's not his purview to do that. Whoever is accusing should be the one," he said when asked if Duterte has not taken any action to investigate the claim against his son.

"In other words, it’s not his purview to be filing charges against his own children," Abella said.

In a recent inquiry at the House of Representatives, a customs broker claimed a certain "Davao Group" was asking money using the name of Paolo when transacting with the BOC. But the customs broker later retracted the statement, saying it was just a rumor. The Vice Mayor also denied the allegation.

Duterte, in a speech during a business forum on Wednesday night in Mandaluyong City, said he would resign if it would be proven that any member of his family, including his children, is engaged in corruption.

He mentioned about the recent allegation of corruption involving Paolo at the BOC.

Abella said when Duterte made such statement about quitting the post, he was trying to show his "commitment to corruption-free government." Celerina Monte/DMS