PAGC chief breaks down amid allegations of nepotism, corruption

MANILA, Philippines - Presidential Anti-Graft Commission (PAGC) chair Constancia de Guzman broke into tears yesterday while defending herself against accusations of nepotism and corruption and vowed to turn the tables on her accusers, who she said were disgruntled employees backed by dismissed government officials.

“ I want to assure you I’ve never betrayed your trust,” De Guzman said in between sobs.

De Guzman, in a news conference at the Palace, said President Arroyo dismissed her offer to resign when she sought a meeting with her sometime in September to request an investigation into the white paper that circulated and detailed her alleged wrongdoings in the department.

De Guzman was accused of hiring her son, his girlfriend, and a nephew in key posts in the PAGC.

“The effort by these people to malign me and the institution that I have embraced to serve is indeed causing grief not only within my immediate family, but also to my family of co-workers at the PAGC, the selfless, innocent and productive men and women who have been painstakingly giving their best in the interest of public service for an institution that highly requires an environment where the spirit of trust and confidence thrives,” she read from a statement.

De Guzman said she would never compromise her position or “the integrity of the laws of this land against erring presidential appointees.”

“I will never compromise my family’s name. And I challenge those who are responsible for these baseless accusations to reveal themselves and present evidence,” De Guzman said.

She said the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) and the Office of the President are separately investigating the matter, including the charges against her.

Many of the allegations, including having the agency’s maintenance man work at her home and giving expensive blowouts, were totally untrue, while other issues were twisted to make it appear that she has committed graft, she noted.

“These allegations and speculations were intentionally packaged in such a way that it would anger people and give those who judge and do not verify facts a bum steer,” De Guzman said in Filipino.

“I am willing to face any court of law and the court of God as I have always stood and will always stand by the truth,” she said.

Press Secretary Cerge Remonde said De Guzman continues to enjoy the trust and confidence of the President.

“We all know that the fight against corruption is a very difficult one and anybody who will be fighting corruption in this country or anywhere else, is really going to meet serious opposition,” Remonde said.

He said Mrs. Arroyo’s designation of Deputy Executive Secretary Natividad Dizon to the PAGC had nothing to do with the controversy but was recommended several months back by De Guzman to fill the post vacated by Monico Jacob.