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No exceptions in government-wide corruption probe —Palace


President Rodrigo Duterte’s order of a wide-ranging probe into government corruption did not exempt anyone, Malacañang said Thursday.

At a news conference in Bohol, Duterte’s spokesperson Harry Roque denied the claim of Senator Panfilo Lacson that Duterte appeared to have exempted Public Works Secretary Mark Villar and Health Secretary Francisco Duque III because the Chief Executive recently said that they were not involved in corruption.

“Wala naman po sigurong ganoon,” Roque said.

“Naghahanap lang po ng ebidensiya ang Pangulo. Kahit sino naman po, kahit gaano kalapit sa kaniya, kahit gaano ang pagpuri niya sa nakaraan, kung mayroon naman pong ebidensiya ng katiwalian ay parurusahan ng ating Presidente,” he added.

Roque cited the case of former Philippine Health Insurance Corporation president Ricardo Morales, who is facing charges before the Office of the Ombudsman over supposed anomalies in the state insurer even as Duterte trusted him.

“Hindi naman po naging hadlang ang  Presidente para imbestigahan at litisin si General Morales,” he said.

Justice Undersecretary Emmeline Aglipay-Villar, wife of Secretary Villar, said her husband will face charges if there is evidence he is involved in corruption.

In a taped address aired on Tuesday, Duterte authorized the Department of Justice (DOJ) to decide which allegations of corruption to investigate depending on their gravity and impact on government services.

The DOJ may create as many panels as necessary and invite or direct other government bodies to assist in the investigation.

Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra said on Wednesday the priority agencies for the probe included the Bureau of Customs, Bureau of Internal Revenue, Department Public Works and Highways, Land Registration Authority and PhilHealth.

“Nagagalak naman po kami na pinili ni Secretary Menardo Guevarra itong pinaka-notorious sa korapsiyon para simulan ang imbestigasyon ng expanded task force on corruption,” Roque said.

Roque had also said the DOJ-led task force may investigate lawmakers for possible involvement in corruption. —KBK, GMA News

Tags: doj, corruption, news
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