PRRD still trusts Lapeña despite NBI drug raps

FILE: President Rodrigo Roa Duterte shares a light moment with the guests during the Joint 68th National Security Council and 69th National Intelligence Coordinating Agency (NICA) Founding Anniversary Celebration at the Philippine International Convention Center in Pasay City on July 31, 2018. KARL NORMAN ALONZO/PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO

MANILA — Former Bureau of Customs (BOC) Commissioner Isidro Lapeña continues to enjoy the trust of President Rodrigo R. Duterte even as he faces charges filed by the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) over the smuggling of shabu, Malacañang said on Monday.

Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo said that Lapeña, who is now Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) director general, is “presumed to be innocent” while the case is ongoing.

“Yes, yes, he remains constitutionally presumed to be innocent,” Panelo said in a Palace briefing, emphasizing that the President “knows him personally.”

“Because he (Duterte) knows him personally. He has worked with him, and he trusts him,” he added.

It may be recalled that Lapeña served as Davao City police chief when Duterte was still mayor of the city.

Panelo, however, said that while the President trusts Lapeña, the results of the NBI investigation will also be considered.

“As far as the President is concerned, he trusts him. But if the evidence proved otherwise, then it will be a different story,” Panelo said.

Asked if the Palace believed that the charges against Lapeña will be dropped, Panelo said the Executive Branch is banking on and will not interfere with the decision of the courts.

“It’s for the courts to decide whether the charges are substantiated by proof beyond a reasonable doubt,” Panelo said.

Panelo, meanwhile, said that the President has not expressed any plans to dismiss Lapeña from his current post as TESDA director general amid the drug raps.

“None that I know of,” Panelo said.

Lapeña is facing two drug-related complaints — the PHP11-billion worth of shabu at the Manila International Container Port (MICP) and PHP2.4 billion worth of shabu in magnetic lifters found in General Mariano Alvarez, Cavite.