By Earl Jed Roque/PNA
MANILA — Department of Budget and Management (DBM) Secretary Benjamin Diokno is “very competent” to answer any question directed to him in the ongoing congressional probe on the Bicol flood control projects, Malacañang said on Thursday.
In a press briefing, Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo expressed confidence in Diokno and the DBM, saying they leave it up to the House of Representatives to conduct their investigation as it is their duty to do so.
“The expectation of any executive branch relative to the investigation conducted by an equal branch is one of understanding and one of action if it so requires to do such acts. Depende kung ano ang magiging resulta ng imbestigasyon (It depends on what the results of the investigation will be),” Panelo said.
He said the Palace respects the House of Representatives’ decision to conduct the probe.
“Sa amin, okay lang iyon, kasi may kanya-kanyang function ang bawat sangay ng gobyerno, gawin nila ang tungkulin nila, gagawin ang amin, magtutulungan tayo sa ikabubuti ng mga kababayan natin. (For us, it’s okay because each branch of government has its own function. Let them do their job, we’ll do ours. Let’s help each other for the betterment of our countrymen),” Panelo said.
House Majority Leader Rolando Andaya Jr. earlier said he wants Diokno to address the supposed anomalies concerning the PHP75-billion insertion for infrastructure funding in the proposed 2019 national budget.
At least eight Cabinet members threw their support for Diokno and vouched for his integrity, honesty, and competence amid some lawmakers’ call for President Rodrigo Duterte to reconsider his appointment as budget secretary.
