Lapeña enjoys PRRD’s trust and confidence

Malacañang said that Bureau of Customs (BOC) Commissioner Isidro Lapeña still has the full trust and confidence of President Duterte despite the R6.8-billion shabu shipment which was reported to have slipped past the agency.

Presidential Spokesman Salvador Panelo made the statement after Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) Director-General Aaron Aquino’s said that Lapeña should be held liable if it is proven that the contraband indeed got past the country’s ports.

In his press briefing Thursday, Panelo said that Lapeña probably still has Duterte’s trust as the President has not said anything about it yet.

“Well, the President has not said anything about losing trust and confidence, so the presumption is he has the full trust and confidence of the President,” he said.

Panelo said that the Palace is awaiting the investigation of the Department of Justice (DOJ) and the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) on the matter before making any move.

“The DOJ has ordered an investigation. The NBI is presently conducting the subject matter. So hopefully after the findings, we will undertake positive action regarding the matter,” he said.

“Under investigation pa (It’s still being investigated),” he added.

Aquino, in an interview over Super Radyo DZBB, said that it is only natural for Lapeña to take the fall in case it is proven that drugs got past the ports. However, he said that it is still too early for heads to roll. (Argyll Cyrus B. Geducos)