Malacañang on Saturday reiterated that President Rodrigo Duterte would not tolerate corruption among his appointees, responding to Sen. Emmanuel “Manny” Pacquiao’s statement that the Chief Executive is “too defensive” when his people are tagged in corruption issues.
“Senator Pacquiao, I can tell you I’ve had personal experiences with the President. … It does not matter to the President if you are close to him – and I’ve proven that,” Palace spokesman Harry Roque Jr. said in a virtual press briefing.
“All of them were sacked. So, I have personal knowledge that when there is data and proof on allegations of corruption, the President does not look the other way,” he added.
Pacquiao earlier called on Duterte to “stop tolerating” his appointees who were allegedly involved in corruption after the President railed against senators investigating the alleged purchase of overpriced personal protective equipment (PPE) and misspending by the Department of Health.
