Duterte orders arrest of Mighty Corp. owner

MANILA, Philippines (Updated 3:40 p.m.) — President Rodrigo Duterte ordered the arrest of the owner of Mighty Corporation following reports that someone had tried to bribe the president, Salvador Panelo, the chief presidential legal counsel, said on Tuesday.

Panelo said that the president ordered the arrest of Alexander Wongchuking for charges of economic sabotage.

The STAR reported that the president of the cigarette company showed up at the office of the National Bureau of Investigation to deny accusations that cigarettes seized from their warehouses in Pampanga last week were fake.

Only courts can issue arrest warrants. 

President of Mighty Corp., shows up at the NBI to deny that the cigarettes seized from their warehouse last week were fake

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Early on Tuesday, Presidential Spokesperson Ernesto Abella declined to comment on whether it was Mighty Corp. that made the supposed offer.

"I don't have any opinions regarding the matter. Some things were discussed in the cabinet and it's best to leave it there for the moment," said in a press briefing.

The spokesperson also declined to divulge information on the alleged attempt to bribe the president.

When asked if it was true that he “berated” lawmakers from Mindanao for allegedly making the offer on behalf of the owner of a company, Abella clarified that he did not berate the politicians and simply informed them of the attempt.

Abella said that the public should just wait for the DOJ to do its job.