By Genalyn Kabiling Malacañang has reminded the Presidential Anti-Corruption Commission (PACC) to give due process to public officials under investigation for alleged irregularities. Presidential Spokesman Salvador Panelo
(OPS / MANILA BULLETIN) Presidential spokesman Salvador Panelo said the concerned government officials should be notified about any corruption complaint before releasing their names in public. "Sa akin, you ask me as a lawyer, dapat bigyan mo ng pagkakataon din 'yung dinidemanda mo ," Panelo said during a Palace press briefing. "Hindi mo dapat ilalabas kaagad 'yun kasi otherwise you might be unnecessarily maligning a reputation na walang basis eventually. Kawawa rin naman ," he added. Panelo said whenever his office receives complaint against an agency or official, he would inform the concerned party and get his or her side on the matter. Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III earlier sought the ouster of PACC Commissioner Manuelito Luna for alleged abuse of authority in the corruption probe launched against him and two other government officials. The labor chief claimed he did not receive a copy of the complaint and merely learned about the matter in the media. The Palace earlier said there would be no sacred cows in the government’s campaign against corruption following the inquiry initiated on the three officials. "If you violate the law, regardless of your status whether you're a friend, ally or political adversary, a relative or a friend or a fraternity brother, wala lahat 'yun. You violate the law, you are accountable,” Panelo said. tyle='margin-bottom:12.0pt'>Earlier, Enrile said the level of taxation the government enforces in energy could be controlled to cushion its impact. Amid the implementation of the additional excise tax on fuel products, which started this January, Enrile said the government’s taxes on energy should be calibrated to cushion the impact on prices and ease the burden on Filipino consumers.