Palace refers Balutan’s corruption case to Ombudsman

MANILA, Philippines — Malcañang has referred the case against former Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office general manager Alexander Balutan to the Office of the Ombudsman after he requested a “a full and impartial investigation” over the corruption allegations against him.

Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo said he had sent a letter to the Ombudsman to relay the request of Balutan to be investigated.

“We are referring the case of Gen Balutan on allegations of corruption since he is requesting to be investigated,” Panelo told reporters in Malacañang, quoting his letter to the Ombudsman.

Asked if the President was okay with this, he said, “I think so.”

Panelo earlier said announced that Balutan was fired “due to serious corruption allegations,” which Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo later retracted and said the official resigned.

READ: Palace: Duterte sacked PCSO’s Balutan over alleged ‘serious corruption’

In a statement, Balutan recalled his vow to PCSO officials in 2016 that he would resign if he would be asked to do something he could not stomach.

READ: Balutan hints he quit over ‘something I can’t stomach’

Balutan earlier said he wanted “a full and impartial” investigation on the corruption allegations against him. /je