PACC commissioner scoffs at Bello’s dismissal threat

MANILA, Philippines – Presidential Anti-Corruption Commission (PACC) Commissioner Manuelito Luna on Tuesday belittled Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III’s threat to have him dismissed for alleged abuse of authority, claiming that such move “will not fly.”

“It’s pure squid tactic on his part,” Luna told INQUIRER.net in a text message.

“Under E.O. (Executive Order) 43, we have the mandate to keep the public abreast of the status of complaints. There are no sacred cows in the war on corruption. Bello’s move will not fly,” he added.

Earlier, Luna said Bello, former Bureau of Customs Commissioner Isidro Lapeña and National Commission on Indigenous People Chairman Leonor Oralde-Quintayo are facing allegations of corruption which prompted the PACC to conduct an investigation.

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Bello, however, claimed that he did not properly receive a copy of any complaint against him and only learned of the investigation in news reports after it was announced by Luna.

He also said that he will ask President Rodrigo Duterte to dismiss Luna from PACC for abuse of authority.

Malacañang already vowed to keep its distance from the PACC probe with Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo claiming that there are no sacred cows in government’s war against corruption. / gsg

READ: Palace on corrupt Cabinet members: No sacred cows