Duterte: Prove 'Pulong' is involved in smuggling and I'll resign

STO. TOMAS, Batangas — President Rodrigo Duterte on Wednesday stressed that he is ready to step down if any of his children are into irregularities following fresh allegations that his son, Davao City Vice Mayor Paolo Duterte, has ties with a group involved in smuggling.

 

“This is a nationwide broadcast so I might as well tell you. I am not defending my son. Prove it, it is true, and I will resign,” Duterte said during the inauguration of the Solar Philippines factory here.

 

“I said anyone involved in my family, if they are into corruption, I will step down from the presidency. No excuses, no apologies,” he added.

 

The President made the remark a day after customs broker Mark Taguba claimed that a group with alleged ties to the younger Duterte had asked him P5 million to facilitate the entry of his shipments without scrutiny.

 

Taguba previously claimed that Paolo was name-dropped by people involved in bribery at the Customs bureau.

 

He said a certain “Tita Nanie,” to whom he was giving P10,000 bribe per container, had told him that the payment would go to a “Davao group” led by the vice mayor. But he admitted that it is possible that the presidential son was just being used to fast-track the entry of smuggled goods.

 

Vice Mayor Duterte has declined to comment on the allegations.

 

"Taguba admitted that his testimony against me was based entirely on rumors. Why would we entertain or believe hearsay? One does not dignify lies with a response," he said.

 

READ: Broker paid P5 M to alleged representative of Paolo Duterte 

 

President Duterte said Paolo has been selling merchandise since eloping with a Muslim lady, whose father is a Tausug and whose mother is a Maranao.

 

“At the age of 18, he eloped with a Moro lady named Lovelie,” the President said.

 

“They are vendor in Davao — jars, ukay-ukay (used clothing)…He was lost to us… He would go to the pier and help his in-laws… And he has to earn his keep and he had to work for the family,” he added.

 

Duterte dared critics to prove that Paolo’s families are into smuggling.  

 

“Pero kung ‘yung mga ‘yung mga jars, ukay- ukay, ‘yung pinapalusot ng in-laws niya (If the jars, used clothing peddled by his in-laws), if that is smuggling, then give me an accounting and I will resign. Walang problema ‘yan sa akin (I have no problem with that),” the President said.

 

Duterte also said that he is willing to open his bank accounts to prove that he has no hidden wealth.  

 

“There will be no corruption in this government. I will not allow it,” he added.