Metro Manila, Philippines – Davao City 1st district Rep. Paolo “Pulong” Duterte asked the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) and its chief, Melvin Matibag, to halt investigations on corruption claims of dismissed patrolman Rodulfo Gracioso Jr. against the Duterte clan for bias.
In a statement issued Thursday, Nov. 12, the lawmaker cited as well prejudgement and unequal opportunity to respond as reasons to seek Matibag’s voluntary inhibition, pointing out that the NBI chief had publicly described Gracioso’s allegations as mostly true while pending the probe.
Duterte said he was not given a copy of the affidavit in advance, wherein the supposed delivery of billions in cash-filled suitcases and gifts to his sister, Vice President Sara Duterte, and other members of his family as ordered by then House Speaker Lord Allan Velasco, with whom Gracisio was an aide.
He also said Matibag’s past criticisms of Sara puts into question his objectivity.
“An investigation is supposed to determine the truth. It should not begin with the investigator appearing to have already decided what that truth is,” Duterte said.
The lawmaker had filed libel and cyber libel complaints against Matibag and other personalities, including media personnel.
The complaint was initially filed with Davao City prosecutor Jhopee Avanceña, but was since transferred to the regional prosecutor in light of Matibag’s urgent motion for the city prosecutor’s disqualification over supposed family ties.
Duterte invoked the precedent in his inhibition request.
“We respected that position because we understand the importance of impartiality in the administration of justice,” he said.
“Now, I am asking for the same principle to be applied… What is good for the prosecutor should also be good for the investigator,” he added.
