THERE are "no sacred cows" in the Duterte administration, Malacañang reaffirmed on Monday, January 7, after the Presidential Anti-Corruption Commission (PACC) officials began its investigation against three Cabinet officials.
In a phone-patch interview, PACC Commissioner Manuelito Luna bared that Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III, Technical Education and Skills Devlopment Authority Director General Isidro Lapeña, and National Commission on Indigenous Peoples Chairperson Leonor Quintayo are currently being investigated.
Apart from the three Cabinet officials, Luna also revealed that some officials of the Labor, Finance and Public Works departments are also currently under probe.
"May mga tao sa departments na 'yan na iniimbestigahan namin. Hindi secretaries. May mga director level, RDO (People from those departments are being investigation. They're not secretaries but from director level, RDOs or regional director officials)," Luna said.
Luna, however, did not elaborate on the investigation against the three Cabinet members.
Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo said that amid the government's crusade against erring public officials, the President would not tolerate corruption in his administration.
Panelo likewise stressed that even Duterte's allies would not be spared from dismissal from service, if they are proven to be involved in corrupt practices.
"You must remember that the President's policy ever since there are no sacred cows in this administration. You violate the law, regardless of your status whether you're a friend or an ally, or political adversary or a relative or a friend or a fraternity brod, wala lahat 'yun (it's nothing). You violate the law, you are accountable," the Palace official told a press conference.
"Wala namang mga friendship-friendship diyan eh (Friendship does not matter). Kung may ebidensya (If there's an evidence), the axe will fall where it should," he added.
Luna said the President has been informed about the investigation on Bello, Lapeña, and Quintayo.
The three Cabinet members will be accorded due process and may refute the allegations hurled against them, the PACC official guaranteed.
After the investigation, Luna said the PACC will submit its recommendation to Duterte's office.
"Hindi pa nakakarating sa Malacañang 'yan. So that's between us and the President kung ano ang (with regard to the) real score," he said.
Panelo said that for now, Bello, Lapeña, and Quintayo would stay in office, while the investigation is ongoing.
"With regard to that, maghihintay kami kung ano 'yung findings, kung anong rekomendasyon nila. Kung may ebidensya, then the President will act on it (With regard to that, we'll wait for the findings and the recommendation. If there's an evidence, then the President will act on it," he said. (SunStar Philippines)