Palace backs Duterte anew on corruption controversies
By Elyjah Rosales
PHOTO: Presidential Photos |
As expected, the Malacañang Palace was yet again quick to stand up for President Rodrigo Duterte after being fired up with corruption enabling allegations.
In a briefing last Thursday, Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque claimed that Duterte "doesn't turn blind eye" on such issues.
"I have personal knowledge na kapag meron naman po talagang datos at katotohanan sa mga paratang ng korupsyon, hindi niya po ipinipikit ang kanyang mga mata," said Roque.
This came after an interview of Senator Manny Pacquiao commenting on the president's defense of corrupt government officials, especially about the recent COVID-19 supply overspending.
It is remembered that despite the clamor from different sectoral groups, Duterte snubbed the calls of Department of Health (DOH) Secretary Francisco Duque III's immediate resignation.
Adding up to this was the president's recent safeguard on former Budget Undersecretary Lloyd Christopher Lao.
Still, the presidential spokesperson remained firm that Duterte does not care about his closeness with the alleged corrupt officials.
He even cited the firing of former Interior Secretary Ismael Sueno last 2017 for "loss of trust and confidence."
Youth sector's Kabataan Partylist urged Commission on Audit (COA)-flagged agencies to explain about their funds.
"Higit kailanman, kailangan magpaliwanag at humarap sa publiko ang mga ahensya, lalo ang Opisina ng Presidente, para sa pondo na hinihingi nila," KPL told.
They even challenged that: "Kung walang tinatago, bakit umaalpas sa hearing ng kongreso?"
The Sarah Elago-represented party also amplified the urgency on service, education, and pandemic response allocations.
"Panawagan ng kabataan ang pondo para sa serbisyo, edukasyon at pagtugon sa pandemya, hindi para sa pork, pangungulimbat, eleksyon at panunupil. Singilin ang kriminal na kapabayaan at korapsyon ng administrasyong Duterte sa gitna ng pandemya," ended the partylist.
Report sources: CNN Philippines, KABATAAN Partylist