Espino reveals meeting with President Duterte
September 1, 2016 | 8:26am
Pangasinan 5th District Rep. Amado Espino Jr. issued the statement after a “matrix” released by President Rodrigo Duterte pointed to Pangasinan as the source of drugs that several high-value Bilibid convicts, allegedly with the protection of Justice department officials in the previous administration, then ordered distributed around Metro Manila and other parts of the country.
CESAR RAMIREZ, File
MANILA, Philippines (Philippines News Agency) — Pangasinan Rep. Amado Espino Jr. disclosed Wednesday that he has met with President Rodrigo Duterte to deny any involvement in the illegal drug operations inside the New Bilibid Prison.
In a press statement, Espino said he was granted a private meeting with Duterte in Malacañan on Tuesday.
“I told the president that I am willing and ready to face my accusers and all the evidences and witnesses they may present,” said Espino, who along with Sen. Leila de Lima, has been linked to drug trafficking inside the national penitentiary, in a drug matrix released by the president last Aug. 25.
The congressman said that in response, Duterte told him that an immediate and thorough investigation and validation of the matrix would take place.
Espino said he denied any friendly “association” with De Lima as the former Justice secretary had “personally pursued” the investigation of a “fabricated murder against him” during the 2013 elections.
He also told the president that he has continuously pursued the drive against illegal drugs during his term as Pangasinan governor.
“It was during my term when a sizeable portion of the total provincial budget was earmarked yearly for the anti-illegal drugs programs and the provincial anti-drug council, and consequently, the municipal and barangay anti-drugs councils, were reorganized and reactivated,” he said.
“It is also a public record that I worked hard to secure the passage of RA 9165, otherwise known as the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002 as one of its main authors,” he added.
Espino said he assured the president that he would continue to “vigorously support” the anti-drug campaign and other projects of the current administration.
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