DEPARTMENT of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Benhur Abalos Jr. laughed off on Friday, January 13, 2023, the allegations against him by Negros Oriental Representative Arnolfo Teves Jr. linking him to an alleged plot aimed in raiding latter’s house and pinning him to the illegal electronic cockfighting (e-sabong) operations.

“You know, I do not want to glorify that statement by answering it, those preposterous accusations,” Abalos in a press conference in Camp Crame.

“You have known me for so long the kind of person I am. I have never had an issue in my whole life. Sinabi ko nga parati na ‘yung pagkatao na lang ang mag aano sa akin (I always said that the personality is the only thing that matters to me). It’s a preposterous accusation,” he added.

On Thursday, January 12, Teves said he received information from reliable sources that Abalos has ordered some agencies to secure a search warrant for the conduct of a raid in his house and to plant evidence if they do not get anything during the operations just to ensure the filing of charges against him.

“Frustrated sila kasi ako pa rin ang pinagbibintangan nila sa e-sabong. Wala akong kinalaman sa e-sabong. Sinuyod na nila buong Region 7, walang nakita. [Kaya] huwag na huwag niyo gagalawin ang bahay ko dahil alam ng taumbayan na foul play ‘yan. Huwag niyo galawin mga anak ko dahil alam ng taumbayan na foul ‘yun,” Teves said.

(They are frustrated because they are still accusing me of being involved in e-sabong. I have nothing to do with e-sabong. They have searched all over Region 7 but found nothing. [So] don’t raid my house because the people know that’s foul play. Don’t touch my children because the people know it’s foul.)

He urged Abalos to step down from his post, saying he is not fit to sit in any government position since he does not follow due process, citing the DILG official’s appeal for police colonels and generals to submit their courtesy resignation amid the government’s efforts to weed out the Philippine National Police of erring cops.

Teves said Abalos is taking a shortcut instead of following due process. (SunStar Philippines)