DUTERTE’S PUBLIC APOLOGY

“I AM humbled by the pronouncement of the President today on clearing my involvement on the alleged drug matrix released last August 25, 2016.”

This was the initial reaction of Fifth District Rep. Amado Espino Jr., shortly after President Duterte publicly apologized and cleared him of involvement in the alleged New Bilibid Prisons (NBP) drug matrix.

“I kept my silence for the past three weeks as I know beyond reasonable doubt that I am not guilty of this allegation,” Espino said in accepting the President’s apology in a press statement released through the Pangasinan Provincial Information Office (PIO) last September 27.

Also cleared by President Duterte were Former Provincial Administrator Rafael Baraan and Second District Board Member Raul Sison.

The President made the public apology in a speech before law enforcers and other officials when he visited a newly busted upcoming drug laboratory in Arayat, Pampanga, and again repeated it in an army camp.

Espino said Mr. Duterte had promised him to revalidate the matrix he made public.

“Although my family was saddened by this unprecedented accusation, we remained steadfast in our respect and high regard for the President and relied completely on his promised revalidation,” Espino said.
“Today, September 27, 2016, my family, friends and the people of Pangasinan would like to express our gratitude to the President for being a true leader and a gentleman. He has my highest esteem for the courageous and bold statement of apology on clearing my name, Raffy Baraan and Raul Sison.'”

He reassured the President of his unrelenting support to his anti-drug and peace and order campaign “which had always been my campaign message for the past six elections.”

Espino family overjoyed

Gov. Amado Espino III said the family felt relieved and happy after the public apology of President Duterte to his father that virtually cleared him of involvement in the drug trade inside the New Bilibid Prison (NBP).

The governor said it is not easy for a man, much more when he is the President of the Philippines, to say sorry.

Asked by newsmen whether his father will exert efforts to determine who was responsible for the wrong information given to President Duterte, the younger Espino said: “Siyempre, he wants to find out those who wanted to destroy his honor”.

“But for now, we in the family are all happy that our father’s name has been finally cleared. We were all saddened before but now, everybody is jumping with joy”, said Espino as he thanked President Duterte for publicly admitting his mistake.

He said now that his father was finally cleared by President Duterte, he will continue efforts to eradicate the drug menace in the province with more resolve.

Meanwhile, Vice Governor Jose Ferdinand Calimlim said members of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan also shared the relief and happiness over the development.

He said they never doubted that the three will be exonerated when they passed a resolution expressing their full support to the three amid this accusation.

BM Sison, he said, he was ecstatic when he heard the President clear his name over the alleged NBP drug matrix. (Leonardo Micua)

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