Rico Puno: 'Maganda po ang aming relationship ni Sec. Robredo'

(Updated 8:59 a.m., Sept. 12) - Disputing reports of factionalism and rivalry, controversial former Interior and Local Government Undersecretary Rico Puno said he and the late DILG Secretary Jesse Robredo had a good relationship that was being denied by people in what he said was a “conspiracy” against him. “'Yun ang hindi ko maintindihan — kung bakit may gustong manira sa akin at gawan ako ng napakaraming storya. Siguro baka mayroong conspiracy or what na nangyayari dahil alam nila na ako ay hindi sasama sa kung anuman ang pinaplanong masama,” Puno said in an interview with Jessica Soho on GMA News TV’s “State of the Nation.” Puno, who announced his resignation from his post on Tuesday, said that he had already planned to resign earlier, and had even told Robredo so on August 18, the day Robredo’s plane crashed off Masbate. Puno's resignation comes three days before a Senate investigation into his actions after Robredo's death is to be held. Except for a written statement announcing his resignation, Puno had been silent on the issues raised against him since last week until he appeared on "State of the Nation." Puno also denied being part of any of the alleged contending factions within the Aquino government. Rather, his personal loyalty to the President extends to the point where he would take a bullet for Aquino, "any time." Puno said he is not part of the "Balay" or "Samar" group identified with Aquino. "Sa Times po ako e... Kami'y taga-Tarlac din," he explained, saying that his ties with the President dates back to the time he campaigned for Aquino when he first ran for a congressional seat, and later on for the Senate. Puno was referring to the Times Street home of the Aquino family in Quezon City.  "Kami ho magmula pa nung panahon po ni Pres. Aquino, ni Tita Cory, nung tumakbo siya sa Kongreso’y, nangampanya po kami para sa kanya. At kasama niya akong nangangampanya dun sa mga baryo baryo dun. Nung tumakbo ng pagka-Senador e sabi niya sama ka na rin sa 'kin. Kami-kami lang din naman ang magkakasama hanggang sa tumakbo siya pagka-Presidente," Puno said. Robredo's condominium unit Puno tried to get inside Robredo’s Quezon City condominium unit a day after the late Secretary’s death, but denied that he did so to remove files about purportedly shady deals. “Very specific ‘yung order sa akin ni Presidente: ‘I-secure mo yung offices, kailangan walang mga dokumentong lalabas, makokopya or masisira. Marami tayong mga nandiyan na dokumento; marami akong pinapagawa kay Sec. Robredo,’” Puno quoted Aquino as saying. Puno clarified that though Aquino did not tell him to go to the unit, he received information indicating that there were documents there. "Kaya kami nagpunta doon. Prudence dictates na kasama iyon na sinabi rin ng Presidente na may mga dokumento, pati iyon i-secure mo,” explained Puno. He further defended himself by saying he never even went inside the condominium unit. “Si [P/Sr. Superintendent Oliver] Tanseco lang ang pumasok at sinabihan nga 'yung katulong. Later in the afternoon it was Sec. de Lima who went up there also and saw that there were documents there. Certain documents na hindi ko alam kung ano laman nu'n,” Puno said. Robredo had been investigating several anomalous transactions, including a controversial weapons deal, before he died. 'Nakabakasyon na ako' But Puno denied allegations that the guns the government was planning to purchase for the Philippine National Police were overpriced. He said that based on his observations, there was no problem at all with the bidding. “Isa yan sa mga inutos sa akin ni Presidente kaya iyon ang binantayan namin. 'Yung [PNP] Bids and Awards Committee, I sit there as an observer. And I observe, nandoon lahat. Kumpleto po. Napakagaling po ng ating Bids and Awards Committee. Hindi ko malaman kung ano 'yung sinasabing overpriced,” he said. Earlier, the PNP Bids and Awards Committee said that Puno had no hand in the bidding process for the guns. Puno also denied being involved in the illegal numbers game jueteng. “Wala akong hinihingi, wala rin akong pinoprotektahang tao at wala rin akong kilalang nagpapa-jueteng,” Puno said. Puno also said he has not yet seen the invitation of Senator Miriam Defensor-Santiago to attend a hearing this Friday at the Senate regarding the alleged gun overpricing. “Nakabakasyon na ako e... hindi ko pa nakikita yung imbitasyon,” Puno said. Puno announced his resignation in a statement past 3 in the afternoon, Tuesday. "I believe that I have carried out my assigned duties to the best of my ability. Moving forward, I have resigned as DILG Undersecretary to support the President’s decision to give a free hand to the incoming Secretary in forming a new team. I wish to thank President Aquino for his trust and confidence in giving me the opportunity to serve our country and people," he said. — BM/DVM/HS/KG, GMA News