By Christine Fabro
President Rodrigo Duterte announced in his taped national address aired on Saturday (Aug. 21) that he dismissed National Electrification Administration (NEA) Administrator Edgardo Masongsong from service due to graft allegations.
“We’ve been talking about corruption… I dismissed him (Masongsong) from public service,” Duterte said.
He said the Presidential Anti-Corruption Commission (PACC) conducted the investigation and made the recommendation for his dismissal.
“I’m sorry, but as I said, people are really [skeptical and cynical] about our desire to improve government service. We do not claim to [be] a totally clean government at this time, not even with another president or endemic ang ano ang corruption,” Duterte said.
The PACC has earlier filed a case against Masongsong over his inaction on the supposed use of public funds for a party-list’s campaign activities.
In a Laging Handa public briefing on May 12, PACC Chairperson Greco Belgica said electric cooperatives are financing party-lists like Philippine Rural Electric Cooperatives Association, and based on the PACC’s investigation it was proven that there is probable cause for the Ombudsman to probe him. -rir
