Duterte aide denies claim he stepped in for Supt. Marcos
SENATOR Leila M. de Lima on Thursday named the special assistant of President Rodrigo R. Duterte as the one who asked Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief Director- General Ronald “Bato” M. Dela Rosa to reinstate Chief Superintendent Marvin Marcos.
“[It’s] Bong Go,” Ms. De Lima told reporters, referring to Christopher “Bong” Go.
“Let them deny that. If they deny, okay. I’m just quoting a source,” she added.
Mr. Go, who is often identified as special assistant to the President, also heads the Presidential Management Staff.
Sought for comment soon after Ms. de Lima’s claim, he said in response via text: “The allegations are pure hearsay and unsubstantiated. I cannot recall having met former CIDG Region 8 Head Supt. Marcos and I don’t know him personally. I did not ask General Bato to reinstate him. I also do not interfere with the affairs and functions of the PNP.”
Ms. de Lima declined to name her source but said Mr. Go’s influence is “an open secret among PNP officials.”
“[Mr. dela Rosa] is not the only one who knows that, there are others in the PNP too. Some PNP officials did not like how this decision to reinstate Mr. Marcos bypassed hierarchy within police ranks without clearing it with them or asking them. Even ’ yung (the) CIDG head, I think, never knew about it.”
Mr. dela Rosa earlier this week disclosed that “someone higher than me” had appealed for Mr. Marcos’s reinstatement following his suspension by Mr. dela Rosa after being linked by Rolando “Kerwin” E. Espinosa, Jr. as among the beneficiaries of the confessed drug lord.
The PNP chief reaffirmed those remarks in a press conference on Thursday morning, saying that a “kumpare” of his sought his help in Mr. Marcos’s behalf (“nagpatulong sa ano ni Marcos”).
“And I said, no problem p’re,” he added. “I was concerned about them because they’re my men. I don’t regret it. I stand by my decision.”
Another hearing in the Senate inquiry on the Espinosa killing is scheduled on Monday.
“I will not attend during the testimonies, especially during [Ronnie P. Dayan]’s,” Ms. de Lima said, referring to the expected participation of her former aide and alleged bagman with whom the senator admitted having a relationship with. “But I will attend after they testify,” she added.
“I trust my colleagues in the Senate are more professional, much more decent than their counterparts in the House, especially the House committee... [S] ome of them are really chauvinist, sickening, sexist pigs,” Ms. de Lima also said, referring to the line of questioning at the House inquiry with regards to Mr. Dayan’s relationship with Ms. de Lima.
As for the show- cause order issued by the House committee on justice on Tuesday, “Technically, the 72-hour period hasn’t started,” Ms. de Lima said, referring to the three days given by the order for Ms. De Lima to explain to the House why she shouldn’t be cited for contempt. “But even then, even if I received it, as I said, I will not honor that.”