HUDCC exec fired due to extortion case – Panelo

Former Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council (HUDCC) Secretary-General Falconi Millar was booted out of his post due to extortion complaint, Malacañang revealed Monday.

In a Palace briefing, Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo said a company, which HUDCC owes money from, accused Millar of demanding “grease money” in exchange for the release of the payment.

Panelo said the company, which he did not name yet, did not comply with Millar’s demand and instead filed an “affidavit” or complaint before the Office of the President.

The Palace official added that President Rodrigo Duterte ordered an investigation on the matter and found that the complaint has a “credible basis.”

“There was a complaint (against Millar). There was a sworn statement at pina-imbestigahan ni Presidente and there was a credible basis that validated the complaint,” Panelo said.

“It came from someone representing a company na may receivables from HUDCC. According to the sworn statement, hinihingian siya (ng pera) para ma-release. But the affiant refused. Instead of giving, nag-execute siya ng affidavit, nagreklamo siya (sa Palace),” he added.

The Palace on Thursday announced the termination of Millar due to alleged corruption complaints.

This was later confirmed by Mr. Duterte during a speech in Cavite.

In a statement, Millar, who also headed the secretariat of the Task Force Bangon Marawi, denied the allegation and claimed being a victim of an “obvious demolition job.”

“It is an obvious demolition job. In protecting the interest of the government, I have annoyed some personalities. I filed my resignation this morning,” Millar said. /kga

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