By Ben Rosario
PAGADIAN CITY, Zamboanga del Sur - Presidential son Paolo “Pulong” Duterte yesterday maintained that the new accusations of his alleged illegal drug connection is the handiwork of staunch Duterte family critic, opposition Senator Antonio Trillanes.
Former Davao City Vice Mayor Paolo Duterte (left), and Senator Antonio Trillanes (MANILA BULLETIN)
Paolo, former vice mayor of Davao City, aired the accusation even as his sister, Hugpong ng Pagbabago chairperson and Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte, sees the accusation that was evidenced with a video, “is not worthy of a comment.”
Interviewed by the media here, Duterte said it is best to ask Paolo to comment on the issue.
“My side, napanood ko na iyong video and I don’t see anything doon na worth of a comment,”she said.
In a press statement distributed to newsmen covering the HNP campaign trail, Paolo said the new publicity stunt has “indelible Trillanes signature” all over it.
Last Monday, a man, identifying himself as “Bikoy” and claiming to be a former drug syndicate member named the president’s son as a drug lord and uploaded a video entitled “Ang Totoong Narco List – Episode 1”on Youtube.
Pulong has numerous times before been rumored to be involved in big time drug smuggling in the country, but nothing has been proven by accusers.
“If there’s anything admirable about Mr. Antonio Trillanes, it is relentlessness and talent to turn the absurd into something ridiculous, if not bizarrely entertaining,” said the presidential son in his statement.
“He may deny it, but the video supposedly showing my involvement in the illegal drug trade in the country has been clearly stamped with the indelible Trillanes signature of being a desperate mercenary, one who has done nothing good but attack the government,” he said.
The former Davao City vice mayor had several brushes with Trillanes in the past. He had in fact filed criminal cases against the opposition lawmaker “for ruining my name.”
“I will file another string of cases for his continued attempts to destroy my reputation.
And no, I will not show the tattoo on my back and make things easier for Mr. Trillanes. Instead, I dare him and everyone behind the stupid and empty video exposé to back their claims against me,” he said.