Pangasinan 5th District Rep. Amado Espino Jr. issued a statement thanking President Duterte for clearing his name from his involvement on the alleged drug matrix. Philstar.com/Cesar Ramirez, File photo
MANILA, Philippines — Pangasinan Rep. Amado Espino Jr., former provincial governor, thanked President Rodrigo Duterte on Tuesday for clearing him 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 them in a “drug matrix” released on Aug. 25 as among government officials involved in drugs at the national penitentiary. Also named in the president’s matrix were Sen. Leila De Lima and former Justice Undersecretary Franciso Baraan. Both have denied the allegations.
Duterte, in a speech in Pampanga on Tuesday, apologized to Espino, Pangasinan Provincial Administrator Rafael “Raffy” Baraan and Pangasinan Board Member Raul Sison, whom he said were mistakenly included in the matrix.
“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 stressed that Sen. De Lima and Francisco Baraan were involved in the drug trade in Bilibid during the previous administration, when De Lima was Justice secretary.
READ: Duterte sorry for wrongly tagging officials in ‘drug matrix’
Espino said in his statement that he stayed silent for three weeks because he knew that he is innocent of the allegation. 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 also assured the president of his full support for the government’s campaign for peace and order.
“Again, I am so humbled and thank the president, the concerned authorities for this much awaited relief.” Espino added.
