(UPDATED) - President Rodrigo Duterte has dismissed Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) general manager Alexander Balutan from government service because of corruption allegations, Malacañang said on Friday, March 8.
This Palace statement runs counter to the statement issued earlier by PCSO deputy spokesperson Florante Solmerin that Balutan resigned from his post due to "personal reasons."
In a statement, Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo said Duterte decided to sack Balutan because of "serious allegations of corruption."
The Palace official, however, did not elaborate on the supposed corruption issue hurled against the PCSO executive.
"The Palace confirms that President Rodrigo Roa Duterte has terminated the services of Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office General Manager Alexander Balutan on his present post due to serious allegations of corruption," Panelo said.
"We hope that this will serve as a stern warning to all government officials and employees that there are no sacred cows in the current administration, especially when it comes to serving the Filipino people with integrity and loyalty," he added.
In September 2016, Duterte appointed Balutan, a retired Marine general, as PCSO general manager to "kill" corrupt officials in the agency.
Panelo reminded public officials to exercise "at all times and with utmost responsibility and fidelity" the good governance and public accountability, which are the "twin hallmarks of the Duterte Administration."
"These are the standards that those in the government must exercise," he said. "Those who fail to observe the same will inexorably suffer the harsh and punitive consequences."
Panelo also echoed Duterte's message that corruption in government will not be tolerated under his watch.
"The campaign against corruption, like the war on prohibited drugs, will be relentless and continuing until the last day of the President’s term," he said. (SunStar Philippines)