CUSTOMS broker Mark Taguba clarified that he is not taking back his earlier statement against Davao City Vice Mayor Paolo Duterte and lawyer Manases Carpio, both members of the first family.
To recall, Taguba on September 1 issued a statement saying he never tagged the two in the smuggling of P6.4 billion worth of shabu into the country from China.
He said that his knowledge of Duterte and Carpio's involvement were mere hearsays and that he has no personal knowledge of their supposed involvement as he was only transacting through alleged Davao Group members "Tita Nannie" and "Jack."
But on Thursday's hearing at the Senate, Taguba told Senator Antonio Trillanes IV that he does not want to change or clarify any of his original statements.
"Your honor kasi...hearsay lang po," Taguba said, justifying his earlier statement supposedly clearing Duterte and Carpio.
"Dun sa mga sinabi mo nung una wala ka ba babaguhin dun," Trillanes asked, to which Taguba answered "Wala po."
During the interpellation of Senator Manny Pacquiao, Taguba was asked if he believes that Duterte and Carpio are involved in the Davao Group.
"Tingin ko po hindi. Sabi-sabi lang nila," Taguba said, referring to alleged members of Davao Group "Tita Nannie" and "Jack."
Taguba, who brokered the P6.4 billion worth of shabu shipment from China, in the Senate hearing last August 31 said he had indirectly given grease money to Duterte and Carpio for earlier shipments, but only through middlemen.
He also said he has given P5 million as enrollment fee to the Davao Group through one of its members, Davao City Councilor Nilo "Small" Abellera. (SunStar Philippines)