Sacked PCSO general manager Alexander Balutan (speaking on microphone). (File photo by CATHY MIRANDA / INQUIRER.net )
MANILA, Philippines — Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian on Saturday said a case should be filed against Alexander Balutan, who was sacked as the general manager of the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO).
“Ang kasunod niyan ay kaso. Dapat i-file sa Ombudsman at i-file sa korte natin,” Gatchalian said over AM radio station DWIZ.
[That should be followed up with a case. It should be filed with the Ombudsman and in court.]
On Friday, President Rodrigo Duterte sacked Balutan over serious allegations of corruption.
“The Palace confirms that President Rodrigo Roa Duterte has terminated the services of Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office general manager Alexander Balutan on his present post due to serious allegations of corruption,” presidential spokesperson Salvador Panelo said in a statement.
Gatchalian said: “Yung ganitong action proseso yan. Prerogative ng ating Pangulo na tanggalin ang kawani ng gobyerno para mahinto yung ginagawang mali.”
[That action is part of a process. It’s the President’s prerogative to remove any government worker to put a stop to any wrongdoing.]
READ: PCSO chief fired for ‘corruption’
“Importante na makasuhan dahil kung ‘di makasuhan para sakin uulitin at magiging walang saysay ang pagtanggal,” Gatchalian added. “Dahil marami rin tayong nakikita dito na natanggal sa pwesto pero ‘pag mabalik sa isang katungkulan sa isang trabaho ay gagawin at uulitin ang paggawa niya.”
[It‘s important to file a case, or else the misconduct might be repeated and would make the removal from office pointless. We have seen several cases of officials who have been removed from one post only to be put in another post where he would continue to do what he had been doing.]
The senator also cited PCSO’s “lavish” Christmas party under Balutan’s watch.
“Matagal na dapat pinalitan ng general manager na mas may puso sa mahihirap na kababayan,” he said.
[He should have been long replaced with a general manager who has a heart for our poor countrymen.]
In January 2018, Sandra Cam, a member of the PCSO board, accused Balutan of overspending for the PCSO Christmas party in 2017.
The party, which was held at the Isla Ballroom of Edsa Shangri-La, cost the government some P6.3 million.
Balutan, however, denied allegations of corruption against him. /atm
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