Following the statement of Senator Panfilo Lacson that there may still be exemptions despite the creation of a mega task force against corruption, Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque pointed out that President Rodrigo Duterte is neither protecting nor siding with anyone in his renewed campaign against government-wide corruption.
“Maganda ‘yung move. Ang problema lang, at the outset… Parang it has already started on the wrong foot… Parang effectively without saying it parang sinasabing huwag niyo isama si Sec. Duque or Villar (The move is good. the problem is at the outset. It seems to have started on the wrong foot… It’s like effectively without saying it – telling to keep their hands off Sec. Duque or Villar),” Lacson observed.
“I am not trying to say ang dalawa may kinalaman sa corruption. No, far from that. Pero para magkaroon kaagad at the outset, mayroon agad na hindi dapat galawin, paano mag-succeed? (I am not trying to say that the two are involved in corruption. No, far from that. But if there are exemptions at the outset, how can it succeed?)” Lacson questioned.
Citing the case of former PhilHealth CEO Morales who is now facing charges, Roque defended that even those who are close to the President and those whom he lauded will be meted with sanctions once there is evidence of corruption against them.
Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra on Wednesday disclosed that five state agencies will be prioritized by the mega task force against corruption including the PhilHealth, DPWH, BOC, BIR, and Land Registration Authority.
“Traditionally po talagang malawakan at systemic ang korapsiyon sa mga ahensiyang ito at nagagalak naman po kami na pinili ni Secretary Menard Guevarra itong pinaka-notorious sa korapsiyon (The corruption within these agencies has traditionally been rampant and systemic, and we welcome the move of Sec. Manardo Guevarra to choose the most notorious in corruption),” Roque stated. – Report from Mela Lesmoras
