MANILA – Davao City 1st District Representative Paolo Duterte expressed his willingness to undergo an investigation following the House Quad Committee’s recommendation for a probe into his alleged involvement in the illegal drug trade.
The recommendation, part of the committee’s progress report, named Duterte and six others based on testimonies by alleged Customs fixer Mark Taguba and former Customs intelligence officer Jimmy Guban.
The accusations stem from a ₱6.4 billion shabu shipment from China that slipped through the Bureau of Customs in 2017.
Taguba identified Duterte as the leader of the so-called Davao Group and implicated him alongside his brother-in-law, Atty. Manases Carpio.
Guban also tied Duterte, Carpio, and former Presidential Economic Adviser Michael Yang to drug smuggling operations.
Duterte welcomed an impartial and credible investigation in response, asserting he has “nothing to hide.” He dismissed Guban’s testimony as “pure hearsay” and criticized the witness protection program for granting furloughs to questionable witnesses.
“These testimonies lack credibility and only undermine the integrity of any legitimate inquiry,” Duterte said.
He called for investigations to focus on those listed in the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) watchlist during his father’s administration, including members of Congress with family ties to drug activities.
Duterte highlighted his efforts to clear his name, filing perjury charges against Guban. “This is just the first step in holding accountable those who spread falsehoods to tarnish reputations,” he added.
He urged the Quad Committee to conduct unbiased and genuine investigations, emphasizing the need for a sincere commitment to the fight against illegal drugs.
Duterte also cautioned the committee against being swayed by politically motivated accusations or unreliable testimonies.
“The nation deserves nothing less than the truth,” he said.
