Palace lashes back at ex-CSC chair

MANILA, Philippines - Malacañang on Wednesday lashed back at former Civil Service Commission (CSC) chair Karina David, who joined a group of former senior government officials in demanding President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo to undertake five steps to help ferret out the truth in allegations of corruption against the administration. Justice Sec. Raul Gonzalez accused David of exposing a glut of underqualified presidential appointees in government only when her retirement neared, because she enjoyed her perks in office. "Siguro nang nariyan siya nasisiyahan siya sa perks na natanggap niya diyan sa poder na kanyang ine-enjoy wala siyang sinasabi (Perhaps when she was in office, she enjoyed the perks so she kept quiet then)," Gonzalez said in an interview on dwIZ radio. Gonzalez said that during Cabinet meetings that David attended, "she never said anything along that direction." It is only that she has left public office that David is bringing up alleged violations committed by the administration in terms of appointing officials. "Now that she's retired she starts talking about what she is saying violations (of) Gloria" in the bureaucracy," Gonzalez said. "Why was she not talking about that when she was sitting as chairman? After all, she was an independent constitutional body when she was chairman of CSC," he added. Gonzalez said David, as CSC head at the time, had the entire bureaucracy subject to her review except officials who are "primarily confidential, highly technical or policy determining." "If she had knowledge of things which are no good she should have exposed that or told the president about it. And if the president did not accept what she was saying and they are legitimate matters and complaints she should have exposed the president then resign... She will also become a saint," he said. - GMANews.TV