Palace to wait for PACC findings on 3 appointees

MANILA, Philippines — The Palace will wait for the findings of the Presidential Anti-Corruption Commission into three appointees before taking any action,  presidential spokesperson Salvador Panelo told Malacañang reporters on Monday afternoon.

"We will wait for the findings, whatever their recommendations are —  if there is evidence, then the president will act on it," Panelo said in a mix of Filipino and English.

PACC Commissioner Manuelito Luna named Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III; former Bureau of Customs Commissioner and now Technical Skills Development Authority chief Isidro Lapeña; and National Commission on Indigenous People Chairman Leonor Oralde-Quintayo as the subjects of the investigation. 

While Luna told a local media outlet the investigation into Lapeña was over the alleged P11-billion in methamphetamine hydrochloride (shabu) smuggled into the country through magnetic lifters, he could not reveal what the others were being investigated for. 

Panelo said that if evidence is found against any appointees, that there would be “no sacred cows.” He said, “you violate the law regardless of your status, whether you're a friend, relative, frat bro, you violate the law you will be held accountable.”

President Rodrigo Duterte created the Presidential Anti-Corruption Commission in 2017 through Executive Order No. 43 which tasks the commission into looking into allegations of excessive lifestyles, graft and corruption activities, and then recommend punishment against those officials which could range from suspension to removal from office.

The EO also gives the commission authority to subpoena personalities and documents as well as enlist the help of security forces to enforce an order or subpoena.

READ: Presidential Anti-Corruption Commission created 

The president has said on repeated occasions that “one whiff of corruption and you’re out,” when addressing government corruption. 

But Panelo clarified what the president meant by this: “When he says ‘whiff of corruption,’ there’s substantial grounds. The president will investigate first. [It's not] just because you’re accused of stealing, you’d be removed immediately.”  

He added, “the president is a lawyer, remember that.” 

Another Cabinet member, Budget Secretary Benjamin Diokno is also facing corruption allegations led by the House Majority Leader Rolando Andaya (Camarines Sur). Andaya claims Dikono's in-laws received alleged commissions from government contracts funded by sums Diokno is accused to allocating to Sorsogon. 

READ: Andaya: Diokno in-laws got millions in commissions 

Andaya accused the DBM of being responsible for allocating P332 billion for “non-existent” flood control projects, an accusation Diokno has denied saying the insertions underwent due process and are all above board. 

READ: DBM denies existence of alleged P332-B flood fund scam

The Palace took a more protective stance on Diokno, saying that the House of Representatives’ investigation into the DBM violates the separation of powers between government branches.