DDB chair Santiago lost job for speaking the truth, says Trillanes

Former Dangerous Drugs Board (DDB) chairman Dionisio Santiago lost his job for speaking the truth about the mega drug rehabilitation center, Senator Antonio Trillanes IV said Wednesday.

“Gen. Santiago spoke the truth and he paid dearly for it. Apparently, Mr. Duterte has an aversion for the truth,” Trillanes, a staunch critic of President Rodrigo Duterte, said in a text message.

Santiago earlier said he was told by Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea to quit his post on Duterte’s instruction. 

“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 in an interview on GMA News’ “24 Oras.”

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

Duterte’s decision came after Santiago criticized the construction of the 10,000-bed drug rehabilitation facility in Laur, Nueva Ecija as “impractical” and a “mistake.”

Senator Panfio Lacson, meanwhile, said there may be a “more serious and compelling reason” than Santiago’s criticisms on the rehabilitation facility.

“I expect sooner or later, there will be an official statement from the Palace in regard to the instruction for him to resign,” Lacson said in a text message.

Senator Gringo Honasan, for his part, said asking Santiago to resign is a “presidential prerogative.” — Kathrina Charmaine Alvarez/RSJ, GMA News