Duterte coddling execs linked to corruption allegations –Robredo

Vice President Leni Robredo said President Rodrigo Duterte was coddling several government officials linked to corruption allegations, adding that the Chief Executive himself should order an investigation on these officials.

This after she was asked to comment on Duterte's recent tirades against the Philippine Red Cross, being chaired by Senator Richard Gordon, who also leads the Senate probe into the supposed overpriced procurement of government's COVID-19 supplies.

"Sana mas bukas sila sa boses nating lahat kasi kung ako naman si Pangulo, 'di naman ako kasama sa corruption, yung mere allegation, bakit ko hihintayin Senado mag-imbestiga?" Robredo said during her Sunday radio program.

(I hope they are more open to our concerns because if I were the President, even if I am not included in the corruption, just a mere allegation, why would I wait for the Senate to investigate?)

"Ako na mismo magpapaimbestiga. Ngayon, halatang halata na, siya pa nagco-coddle. Lahat ng ebidensya  nasa harap mo na," she added.

(I, myself, would be the one who would authorize the probe. But right now, the allegations are clear, and yet he is coddling them. The evidence is there.)

On the heels of controversies against the Department of Health, Duterte slammed senators, saying the investigations on alleged irregularities in the government were mere posturing, despite these investigations being part of legislators' mandate.

The President also defended Pharmally Pharmaceutical Corporation and former Presidential Adviser Michael Yang despite the company and Yang's links to the controversial procurement of medical equipment during the pandemic.

Robredo also questioned the government's deals with Pharmally officials, even if its executives, including its chairman Huang Wen Lie, were allegedly wanted in Taiwan for securities fraud, stock manipulation, and embezzlement.

In a Senate probe, however, Huang said he had yet to receive a formal arrest warrant from the Taiwanese government.

"Pera ng bayan ang gamit ninyo. Nakiki-deal tayo sa mga may record," Robredo said.

(Taxpayers' money is being used and yet they are dealing with those who have criminal records.)

Ombudsman's mandate

On corruption allegations, Robredo said it should be the Office of the Ombudsman who should launch a probe into the corrupt public officials.

However, she lamented that the current Ombudsman failed to perform this mandate.

"'Yung role niya tuloy... para balikan yung nang-criticize sa pamahalaan. Sobrang baliktad sa mandato ng opisina nya," said Robredo.

(His role is to punish all the critics of the government. It is the opposite of his mandate.)

Ombudsman Samuel Martires had maintained that President Rodrigo Duterte's Statement of Assets, Liabilities, and Net Worth should not be published due to his previous policy on restricting public access to SALNs.

He even pushed for tougher penalties against individuals making comments about the Statements of Assets, Liabilities, and Net Worth (SALNs) of government officials. — DVM, GMA News