'Hurt' Santiago says Duterte made him leave DDB post

Former Dangerous Drugs Board (DDB) chief Dionisio Santiago on Tuesday admitted being hurt following his resignation from the post, saying it was President Rodrigo Duterte who wanted him out of office.

In an interview on "24 Oras," Santiago told GMA News' Susan Enriquez that Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea met him on Monday to discuss Duterte's wishes.

"Sabi niya, 'Mahirap 'tong trabaho, I was told to tell you to go.' Sabi ko, 'No problem, don't worry about me. Magkaibigan pa rin tayo,'" Santiago said.

"I was hurt because I served the government for 44 years. Hindi ito ang way out na ine-expect ko," Santiago added.

Santiago said someone could have influenced the President's belief that he should leave DDB.

Santiago submitted his letter of irrevocable resignation earlier in the day.

His resignation comes after he criticized the construction of 10,000-bed drug rehabilitation center inside Fort Magsaysay in Laur, Nueva Ecija as “impractical” and a “mistake.”

Santiago said his statements were "constructive criticisms." —Anna Felicia Bajo/JST, GMA News