Malacañang said President Duterte still trusts Technical Education and Skills Development Authority Director General Isidro Lapeña despite the graft charges against him in connection with the multi-billion peso shabu smuggling when he was still Bureau of Customs commissioner.
Presidential spokesperson Salvador Panelo said Duterte still trusts Lapeña despite the charges, adding that the former Customs chief is not yet proven guilty of anything.
“Yes, he remains constitutionally presumed to be innocent,” Panelo responded when asked if Lapeña still enjoys the trust and confidence of the President.
“Duterte knows Lapeña personally, he has worked with him, and he trusts him,” he added.
Panelo said Malacanang is leaving Lapeña’s fate to the courts, adding that he will stay in his position in government.
“It’s for the court to decide whether the charges are substantiated by proof beyond a reasonable doubt,” he said. “As far as the President is concerned, he trusts him. But if the evidence proves otherwise, then it will be a different story,” he added.
The National Bureau of Investigation, in its complaint filed before the Department of Justice, accused Lapeña of dereliction of duty, grave misconduct, and corrupt practices for causing “undue injury” to the government by his inaction on the shabu smuggling.
The NBI said Lapena should be held liable for failing to file charges against importers and consignees of the shipments, even after authorities found that the contents were not properly declared. (Argyll Geducos)
