Duterte fires PACC commissioner who wanted Leni probe over COVID-19 aid

"Fire him."

President Rodrigo Duterte has publicly ordered the sacking of Manuelito Luna, the commissioner of his anti-graft commission for calling for a probe of Vice President Leni Robredo for "competing" with government for COVID-19 relief.

In a rambling address to the nation aired late Friday night, Duterte praised Robredo's moves to solicit aid to help frontliners battling the spread of the novel coronavirus.

"Tama yan maghingi ka ng tulong sa kapwa mo tao," Duterte said.

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

The President acknowledged that he did not always see eye-to-eye with the Vice President, an opposition figure who he had fired from his Cabinet twice over his administration.

Luna had called for the National Bureau of Investigation 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.

Presidential Anti-Corruption Commission Chairman Dante Jimenez and Commissioner Greco Belgica have disowned Luna's call, saying it was his personal opinion and not of the commission.--JST, GMA News