PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte on Tuesday accused a certain Manny “Cuevas” of allegedly rigging bids to make a profit in high-level government contracts in various administrations.
In his first speech at an anti-corruption summit in Pasay City, Duterte claimed a certain “Cuevas” was involved in corruption when he tried to ‘play’ amounts in various government procurement bids.
“This guy is playing a game. Cuevas is the name,” Duterte said.
Duterte then claimed this “Cuevas” was linked to former House Speaker Prospero Nograles, a former political nemesis of his.
Among the many acts of this “player” included overpricing, bid rigging, he said.
“O, how do we survive kung ganun? Si Cuevas, player ‘yan. Sad to say, player ni Nograles ‘yan noong Speaker siya.”
In his second speech, Duterte claimed this “Cuevas” was an “operator” and “middleman” who was “around every administration.”
“P***** i**, pati sa Malacañan. Sabihin niya, “Akong bahala. Okay, you need how much? Eight million? I’ll give you 10 million.” Kausapin niya doon,” he said. “And it will be released. Sabihin niya, “Isauli mo sa akin ang dos.” No outside intervention.”
He then warned this “Cuevas” to stop or he would have his face kicked very hard (sisipain ko yan sa mukha).
“Do not stretch your lap too far, too much…you steal billions, millions,” Duterte said.
The President, when asked in a chance interview following his second speech if the person he referred to was named “Manny Cuevas”—he replied in the affirmative.
Reporters asked: “Sir sino si Cuevas? Manny Cuevas po ba?”
“No other one,” the President replied before he was whisked away by the Presidential Security Group.
Duterte, however, did not give details as to who Cuevas was.