Palace clarifies Balutan resigned not fired

MANILA, Philippines — Former Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office General Manager Alexander Balutan was not fired but resigned from his post because of corruption issues hounding his agency, Malacañang clarified Monday.

Last Friday, Balutan's spokesman Florante Solmerin said Balutan had opted to resign "for personal reasons." Hours later, presidential spokesman Salvador Panelo announced that President Rodrigo Duterte had fired Balutan for "corruption" but did not elaborate. 

READ: Duterte fired PCSO chief Alexander Balutan, Palace confirms

Panelo evaded questions about Balutan during his press briefing Monday morning, saying he would issue a statement within the day. 

Minutes before 6 p.m., the presidential spokesman corrected his previous statement, saying Balutan indeed resigned from his post.

"We wish to clarify that former Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office General Manager Alexander Balutan has indeed tendered his resignation through a letter submitted to the Office of the President," Panelo said in a statement. 

"Mr. Balutan resigned out of delicadeza because of, as we have said, serious allegations of corruption in the PCSO, he added. 

READ: Lacson urges Palace to file criminal charges vs sacked PCSO chief Balutan

Panelo said Balutan's letter was formally received by the Office of the President "only after the Palace has already announced his cessation from office."

"He (Balutan) has requested the president for a fair and impartial investigation to ferret out the truth on the matter," he added. 

Reports published before Panelo issued the clarification claimed the shortfall in the targeted income of PCSO might have cost Balutan his post.  

READ: Balutan seeks impartial probe on PCSO corruption

Balutan, a retired military general, has claimed he stepped down from his post because he was asked to do something he could not stomach but did not provide specifics.