Sacked PACC commissioner who wants Leni probed: President knows best

Sacked Presidential Anti-Corruption Commission (PACC) Commissioner Manuelito Luna on Saturday expressed his full support for President Rodrigo Duterte despite being axed from his post by the chief executive.

“I support the President, and always will,” Luna told GMA News Online.

“He knows best,” he said.

On Friday night, Duterte publicly ordered Luna’s sacking as the President backed Vice President Leni Robredo for her efforts to raise funds to help frontliners battling the COVID-19 threat.

The President said it was not right for Luna to call for a probe on Robredo and announced his firing on the spot.

The Palace later explained that firing demonstrated the Duterte's intolerance to abusive, arrogant and incompetent government officials, and was consistent with his decisive action against errant public servants.

The President's repeated calls for everybody, regardless of political beliefs to cooperate in the government’s efforts to stop the spread of the coronavirus, was not a meaningless appeal.

Those who respond to call for unity and cooperation must be encouraged and commended instead of being harassed by subjecting them to a mindless government intrusion that smacks of partisan action.

Luna had called for the NBI to probe Robredo's efforts, saying these had "competed" with government relief operations.

Robredo dismissed the call, with her camp calling it ridiculous and out of touch.

Lawmakers across party lines, meanwhile, rallied around Robredo, whose office has been active in coordinating transportation, lodging, and equipment for frontline health workers, among other things.

PACC Chairman Dante Jimenez and Commissioner Greco Belgica have disowned Luna's call, saying it was his personal opinion and not of the commission. —KG, GMA News