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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider 'Nothing wrong' with appointing Pangandaman as chief of Philippines' only Islamic bank—Palace

'Nothing wrong' with appointing Pangandaman as chief of Philippines' only Islamic bank—Palace

Published Jul 13, 2026 06:06 pm
President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. formally receives the copy of the Fiscal Year 2026 National Expenditure Program from Department of Budget and Management (DBM) Secretary Amenah Pangandaman on Aug. 12, 2025 in a ceremonial turnover in Malacañan. (PCO)
President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. formally receives the copy of the Fiscal Year 2026 National Expenditure Program from Department of Budget and Management (DBM) Secretary Amenah Pangandaman on Aug. 12, 2025 in a ceremonial turnover in Malacañan. (PCO)
Former Budget secretary Amenah Pangandaman was tapped by President Marcos to be the chairperson and chief executive officer (CEO) of the Al-Amanah Islamic Investment Bank of the Philippines (AAIIBP) as he believes that she can perform the job well.
This was what Palace Press Officer and Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro stated when asked about the recent appointment made by the President.
"Wala naman po sigurong masama kung i-appoint po niya ang isang tao na sa tingin niya ay makakapagtrabaho nang maayos (There is nothing wrong with appointing someone whom he believes can perform the job well)," Castro said in a Palace briefing on Monday, July 13.
It can be recalled that in November last year, Pangandaman stepped down from her post at the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) "out of delicadeza" after her office was linked to flood control anomalies.
Pangandaman's appointment was questioned by former DBM Undersecretary Cielo Magno, citing that Pangandaman was never investigated over her office's link to the flood control mess.
Castro stressed that "the administration has always been open to investigations, regardless of who is involved—whether allies, non-allies, relatives, non-relatives, or anyone else."
"Naging bukas po ang Pangulo sa pag-iimbestiga hindi lamang sa nakaraang administrasyon kung hindi pati sa kanyang mga tao, kanyang mga Cabinet secretaries or sinumang mga nasa ilalim ng ehekutibo (.The President has remained open to investigations not only involving the previous administration but also his own people, Cabinet secretaries, or anyone under the executive branch)," Castro said.
The Palace official also underscored that Pangandaman is not facing any case.
"Kaya ang po ang sinabi natin, sa ngayon po ay wala tayong nakikitang anumang kaso na kinakaharap ni dating Secretary Amenah Pangandaman. Kung mayroon po silang maikakaso at mayroon po silang ebidensiya – sila po ay malaya na magsampa ng kaso (That is why what we said is that, at present, we have not seen any case being faced by former Secretary Amenah Pangandaman. If they have grounds to file a case and they have evidence, they are free to do so)," Castro said.

Related Tags

President Marcos Amenah F. Pangandaman DBM Al-Amanah Investment Bank of the Philippines (AAIIBP) Claire Castro
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