Pangasinan Representative and former provincial governor Amado Espino Jr. thanked President Rodrigo Duterte on Tuesday for clearing his name of alleged involvement in the illegal drug trade at the New Bilibid Prisons.
"He has my highest esteem for the courageous and bold statement of apology clearing my name, [and of] Raffy Baraan and Raul Sison," Espino said in a statement to the media.
Duterte had initially named Espino, Baraan and Sison in a "drug matrix" released on August 25 as among government officials involved in illegal drugs at the national penitentiary. Also named in the matrix were Senator Leila De Lima and former Justice Undersecretary Francisco Baraan, who both denied the allegations.
In a speech to Pampanga on Tuesday, the President apologized to Espino, Pangasinan Provincial Administrator Rafael Baraan and Pangasinan Board Member Raul Sison, whom he said were unintentionally included in the list.
"Kay Espino and even to Sison, at kay Baraan, yung kapatid -- huwag yung undersecretary, sabit talaga yun sa Bilibid. I would like to apologize to you publicly. And I would say now, I am very sorry," Duterte said.
Duterte stood by his current statement that Senator Leila De Lima and Francisco Baraan were included in the drug trade in the national penitentiary during the previous administration, when De Lima was Justice secretary.
Espino said that he stayed silent for three weeks because he knew that he is innocent. He said he had the opportunity to meet with the President who, according to him, promised to have the matrix revalidated.
"Although my family and the people of Pangasinan were saddened by this unprecedented accusation, we remained steadfast in our respect and high regard on the discretion of the president and relied completely on his promised revalidation," Espino said.
Espino assured the President of his full support for the administration's campaign for peace and order.
"Again, I am so humbled and thank the president, the concerned authorities for this much awaited relief." he added.
Source: The Philippine Star
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