Diamante belies smuggling allegation

CEBU, Philippines —  Tuburan Vice Mayor Democrito “Aljun” Diamante has denied allegations that he is involved in the smuggling of agricultural products from different ports of the country including Cebu, Subic, Davao and Cagayan de Oro.

This after the Senate Committee of the Whole released its report about agricultural products being smuggled and those who are involved as protectors of the said illegal activity.

The said report was forwarded to Senate President Vicente Sotto III on May 17, 2022.

In the said “validated list,” the name of a certain “Mayor Jun Diamante” appeared.

Diamante, who is the incoming mayor of Tuburan, denied his involvement on the smuggling activity.

In a dyHP radio station interview, Diamante said this is not the first time his name was dragged to an issue. Way back 2017, he said, he was also accused of an illegal activity but he was never summoned to appear in a congressional hearing.

Nevertheless, the vice mayor admitted he is disappointed after his name was dragged again to an issue.

"Para nako grabe gyud ang pagpakauwaw nga ilang gibuhat sa akoa...kana iyang allegation kay gipang-involved, gipang-implicate ang mga tawo nga sama nako nga nagtarong pagserbisyo sa lungsod ug nanginabuhi sa tarong,"  Diamante said.

The local official admitted he has a logistics company that is connected to multinational companies. But the said company was already managed by his son after he became a public servant in Tuburan in 2003.

"Dili ko molimod ana nga naa koy logistics company nga nag-handle og mga dagkong kompaniya nga nag-handle sa shipping, sa trucking apan gi-manage na sa akong anak," Diamante said in the interview aired yesterday, June 28, 2022.

Diamante defended himself saying that his company follows the proper process and operations, adding that he is willing to face those allegations against him.

 "Makita na nila sa atong libro, pwede na nato paablihan ang libro sa akong mga kompaniya kay wala naman gyud ta nag-focus diha," Diamante said.

Diamante who is currently the vice mayor of Tuburan is set to lead the town as mayor again after winning uncontested last May 9 elections. — JMD (FREEMAN)