Duterte to attend Senate hearing on rice smuggling

DAVAO CITY, Philippines – After a word war with Justice Secretary Leila de Lima and Human Rights Commissioner Loretta Rosales, Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte confirmed Sunday, February 2, that he will appear in a Senate hearing on rice smuggling on Monday.

The City Information Office divulged that Duterte will appear on the Senate probe led by the Committee on Agriculture on Monday, February 3, at around 10 am.

Duterte earlier said that his testimony will be primarily about the efforts of the local government to put an end to rice smuggling.

The Davao City mayor – who is also tracking down alleged rice smuggler David Tan in the city – was invited upon the request of Senator Grace Poe, who is part of the Senate committee.

David Tan is allegedly an alias of businessman Davidson Bangayan, who was grilled at the Senate last January 22.

Both De Lima and Rosales criticized Duterte for threatening to kill smugglers if they will continue their illegal activities in the city.

Duterte and his son, vice mayor Paolo Duterte, told Rosales to do her job and shut up.

The mayor said that if he will meet De Lima he would greet her “good morning, Ma’am.”  – Rappler.com