Vice Mayor Duterte invited to Senate hearing

The Senate Blue Ribbon Committee has decided to invite President Duterte’s son, Davao City Vice Mayor Paolo Duterte, and his son-in-law, Manases “Mans” Carpio, to its hearing on the 16.4-billion shabu shipment from China that was intercepted by the Bureau of Customs (BOC).

In separate media interviews, Sen. Richard Gordon, chair of the Senate panel, confirmed the decision, and disclosed that he has also decided to move the hearing to September 7. He originally set the hearing for September 25.

The vice mayor’s and Carpio’s names cropped up after private broker Mark Taguba disclosed during congressional hearings of his transactions with the so-called “Davao Group.”

Taguba claimed he paid around 18 million to the group, allegedly led by Duterte’s son, to ensure that his cargo shipments would breeze through the Customs without being alerted.

“We have decided to call for the two because no matter what I do, even if I say it’s all hearsay, we know he is a son of the President, he is a relative of the President, they should be invited. And that is why I agreed to call for them in the first place,” Gordon said.

Asked if his decision was borne out of President Duterte’s go-signal to his son and Carpio to attend the hearing, Gordon said he was never against inviting the presidential son and son-in-law to the investigation in the first place.

“I expect them to be on a higher plane than ordinary citizens that even with a small quip, I don’t care anymore. Let them answer,” he said.

“It’s their duty to the public. They will face the public. Whatever they say, whatever needs to be asked, then ask them.