FORMER Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) general manager Alexander Balutan was not fired, but resigned from his post "out of delicadeza," MalacaƱang clarified on Monday, March 11.
"We wish to clarify that former Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) General Manager Alexander Balutan has indeed tendered his resignation through a letter submitted to the Office of the President," Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo said in a statement.
"Mr. Balutan resigned out of delicadeza because of, as we have said, serious allegations of corruption in the PCSO," the Palace official added.
The clarification was made three days after Panelo said that President Rodrigo Duterte had fired Balutan because of "serious allegations of corruption."
Panelo confirmed that Balutan had transmitted a resignation letter to Duterte's office.
He noted, however, that Balutan's letter was received by the Office of the President only after he had announced that Balutan is no longer with PCSO.
"The said written communication was, however, formally received by the OP only after the Palace has already announced his cessation from office," he said.
On March 8, PCSO deputy spokesperson Florante Solmerin said Balutan had resigned from his post due to "personal reasons."
Shortly after Solmerin issued the statement, Panelo announced that Duterte had fired Balutan.
On March 9, Balutan denied any involvement in corruption.
Panelo, in his latest statement, said Balutan had already sought a "fair and impartial" probe into the the corruption allegations.
"He (Balutan) has requested the President for a fair and impartial investigation to ferret out the truth on the matter," he said.
"We hope this sets the record straight on the timeline of what transpired," Panelo added. (SunStar Philippines)