Palace Defends Cabinet Execs to Probe NCMF ‘Pork’ Involvement

Following Senator Sergio Osmeña’s warning of a possible “cover-up” in the investigation of the P515 million in pork barrel funds to the National Commission on Muslim Filipinos (NCMF), Malacañang on Wednesday defended the fitness of the Cabinet officials ordered to investigate the allegedly irregular transactions.

Presidential spokesperson Edwin Lacierda, during a press conference, said the officials tasked to investigate the issue were not involved, and are competent to look into the matter.

Earlier, Aquino had ordered Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa Jr., Cabinet Secretary Jose Rene Almendras, and Budget Secretary Florencio “Butch” Abad to prepare a thorough report on the matter.

Lacierda also said the three Cabinet officials can be expected do their job properly. “I suppose there will be no suspicion on the way that the three will be looking into the NCMF issue,” Lacierda said.

The Palace will also ask Justice Secretary Leila de Lima whether the Commission on Audit report on the issue has been referred to entities like the National Bureau of Investigation or the Inter-Agency Graft Coordinating Council, Lacierda added.

Osmeña earlier said that corruption still exists in the Aquino administration. In response to this, Lacierda said the Palace continues to address the issue. Lacierda reportedly said “Tuloy-tuloy ang ating paglaban sa korapsyon naman… That’s the reason why we continue our ‘Tuwid na Daan’ campaign. It has never ceased.”

He also added that the President has always been very emphatic about the matter, adding that “If there is evidence, we will investigate,” he said.

The Palace official reiterated that the senator remains an ally despite his negative comments against the President, report said. “Allies can have disagreements. But do we follow the same campaign of good governance? Certainly, Senator Serge Osmeña is one with the President and with respect to his—to the President’s campaign on good governance,” Lacierda said.

The NCMF is an agency under the Office of the President.

Source: Gma News Online