PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte said Monday, November 23, that the presidential aspirant he earlier claimed to be using cocaine is doing the illegal act while on a private plane or yacht, the reason he eludes authorities.
"Totoo ‘yan, there’s a candidate who was using cocaine. And you can ask ‘yong mga mayaman. Sabihin ng pulis, bakit hindi natin hinuli, bakit hindi hinuli ng Presidente. Hindi mo alam, mga mayaman, they do it on yacht or in the air. Doon 'yan sila magsupsop ng ano nila," Duterte said Monday during the inauguration of seaport and airport development projects in General Santos City.
"If you do not believe it, well, leave it that way. Basta, sinabi ko. Let it not be said later on that I did not tell you," he said. "Alam mo ang tao, kailangan may kaunting disiplina. May kagaguhan man kami, ako mismo, pero may limit ako, may boundary ako. I do not cross it," he added.
Duterte again did not identify the presidential aspirant he was referring to.
He only gave a hint that the person came from a rich family whose patriarch was a prominent personality.
Duterte said “he is a very weak leader” and character, and has yet to accomplish anything for the country.
Among the prominent individuals who filed their certificate of candidacy for president were former senator Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos, the running mate of his daughter, Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio; Vice President Leni Robredo; Senators Panfilo Lacson, Emmanuel “Manny” Pacquiao and Christopher “Bong” Go; Manila City Mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso; labor leader Leody De Guzman; and Army General Antonio Parlade Jr.
They all expressed willingness to undergo drug testing.
On Monday, November 22, Lacson and his running mate Senate President Vicente Sotto III underwent voluntary multi-drug testing at the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA).
They both tested negative for any illegal drug substance.
Duterte is backing Go, his former long-time aide.
Philippine National Police Chief Dionardo Carlos has ordered the Police Drug Enforcement Group to coordinate with PDEA for the validation of Duterte’s claims. (SunStar Philippines)