MALACAÑANG on Wednesday, October 31, brushed aside an anti-corruption group's call for the resignation of Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III, saying there is "no reason or basis" for such appeal.
Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo said Domginuez, as one of the administration's "trusted" economic managers, continues to enjoy President Rodrigo Duterte's trust and confidence.
"Some quarters have been asking for the resignation of Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez. The Palace finds no reason or basis for such call," Panelo said in a statement.
"Secretary Dominguez continues to enjoy the trust and confidence of President Rodrigo Roa Duterte. As one of the President’s trusted economic managers, he steered our economy to become one of the best-performing growth leaders in the region and continues to perform remarkably," he added.
In a statement on Tuesday, October 30, the Coalition Against Corruption (CAC) sought the resignation of Dominguez, who they said appeared to be "unconcerned" over the rampant corruption at the Bureau of Customs (BOC) and the Bureau of Internal Revenue.
The group also slammed Dominguez's alleged "deathly silence" on the issues plaguing the BOC, particularly the unending corruption in the bureau and shabu shipments that slipped past the country's ports.
"Secretary Dominguez, are you still marching in cadence with the President in the war on corruption?" the group said. "In fairness to the President and to the Filipino people, if you cannot do the job, please of the honorable thing... Resign!"
Panelo said Dominguez is effective as Finance chief, noting that revenue collections "reached new record highs during his stewardship, including the highest first quarter tax effort we have ever achieved in the past 25 years."
He added that the executive expected Dominguez would maintain his "superb work ethic for the rest of his stint in the Department of Finance."
"On the issues surrounding the Bureau of Customs, Secretary Dominguez is aware of what is happening in the bureau. The corruption in the BOC is complex and the Secretary does not need to be blunt just to exhibit what he does to address it," the Palace official said.
"He (Dominguez) was in touch with former BOC chief Isidro Lapeña and he is slated to meet with the new Customs head Rey Leonardo Guerrero regarding the bureau’s operations," he added. (SunStar Philippines)