Ang “whiff of corruption” ang maaaring dahilan ni Pangulong Duterte upang patalsikin sa puwesto si dating Dangerous Drugs Board (DDB) Chairman Dionisio Santiago.
Nilinaw kahapon ni Presidential Spokesman Harry Roque, Jr. na hindi sinibak si Santiago nang dahil sa complaint letter na umano’y ipinadala ng isang miyembro ng DDB Employees Union (DDBEU) sa Office of the President.
Nitong Lunes, inilabas ng Malacañang ang kopya ng sinasabing liham na nilagdaan ng isang Priscilla Herrera, umano’y miyembro ng DDBEU. Gayunman, parehong pinabulaanan ni Herrera at ng DDBEU ang pagpapadala ng liham kay Pangulong Duterte.
“Hindi po namin sinabi na katotohanan ang lahat ng sinabi ng complaint. Ang punto ko po, and I think ang word na ginamit natin was ‘even a whiff of corruption’ is enough for the President to be at least suspicious for the conduct of his closest allies,” sabi ni Roque.
Nang tanungin kung bineripika ng Palasyo ang authenticity ng liham bago nila ito inilabas sa media, sinabi ni Roque, “it’s been overtaken by events because the resignation came about.”
“But I emphasize, we have never alleged that they are gospel truth, they are allegations, which I’m sure, he can easily dispute,” pahayag ni Roque kaugnay ng nasabing liham.
Ipinagdiinan ng tagapagsalita ng Palasyo na kahit walang pangalan ang liham, “the President would still consider it and would still take steps to verify the truth of allegations.”
“I’m sorry if there’s been any misunderstanding but I’ve reviewed the transcripts, I was very clear—if there are allegations in a complaint, we did not say they are the truth and that is why I understand, General Santiago was somehow hurt,” sabi niya.
“Sometimes, mere talk of corruption is enough for the President to lose his trust and confidence,” dagdag ni Roque. – Roy C. Mabasa
