By Argyll Cyrus Geducos
Malacañang told Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) board director Sandra Cam to file a complaint regarding the corruption in the agency, or just resign instead of telling President Duterte what to do.
Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo made the statement after the former whistleblower questioned the internal decision-making process of the PCSO.
Presidential Spokesman Salvador Panelo
(OPS / MANILA BULLETIN)
In a statement late Friday, Panelo urged Cam to formally submit a complaint to the Presidential Anti-Corruption Commission (PACC), which is directly under the Office of the President so that it would be acted on accordingly.
"She could file corruption charges against the PCSO officials and submit proof of her allegations before the said commission," he said.
"The President will order a full-blown investigation on those allegations of corruption as soon as formal charges are filed," he added.
Panelo then reiterated that President Duterte will not spare anyone who is found to be involved in corruption in government even if they are close allies or friends of the Chief Executive.
"President Rodrigo Roa Duterte is beholden to no one. He will not spare even his close friends and long-time allies in his drive to weed out corruption in the bureaucracy," he said.
"We repeat: There are no sacred cows in this Administration," he added.
The Palace official assured that Duterte will listen to whatever other whistleblowers may have to say that will bring clarity to the allegations.
"We, thus, urge the likes of Ms. Cam to come forward and expose government shenanigans and malfeasance if she knows any. We assure her and other whistleblowers that they have PRRD's ears in this regard," Panelo said.
He, however, advised Cam that if she really cannot stand the alleged corruption in the PCSO, she should just resign instead of asking the President to sack her.
"She does not have to wait for her relief by the President. She can tender her resignation if she cannot stand the alleged corruption within the PCSO," Panelo said.
Cam's call for her sacking came two months after former PCSO general manager Alexander Balutan resigned from his post "out of delicadeza" amid the "serious" allegations against him.
Panelo said the allegations against Balutan include the House of Representatives’ investigation, which showed Commission on Audit (COA) findings on certain Small-Town Lottery areas failing to meet their quotas, but whose licenses were renewed, and cash allegedly brought to the PCSO office.
The Palace official said Balutan denied the allegations, noting that renewal of license to operate was a board decision and that the alleged cash was not brought to his office.
Earlier, Balutan said that Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea informed him that there were people who wanted him out of the PCSO.