BREAKING: Duterte fires FDA chief Nela Charade Puno over alleged corruption

Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Director General Nela Charade Puno (File photo by LYN RILLON / Philippine Daily Inquirer)

MANILA, Philippines — President Rodrigo Duterte has sacked Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Director General Nela Charade Puno for alleged corruption.

Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo revealed this information to the media during a press briefing on Thursday, May 16.

“Dear Ms Puno, please be advised that upon the instruction of the President your appointment as director general of the Food and Drug Administration of the Department of Health is hereby terminated effective immediately,” said the letter of Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea to Puno on Wednesday, May 15. The letter was read by Panelo during the press briefing.

“This is in line with the President’s continuing mandate to eradicate graft and corruption and to ensure that public officials and employees conduct themselves in manner worthy of public trust,” the letter added.

“To ensure uninterrupted delivery of public service,” Panelo said Medialdea in the same letter has ordered Puno “to immediately turnover all official documents, papers, and properties in possession to the office of the undersecretary for health and regulation, Department of Health.”

INQUIRER.net has sought Puno for her comment on this matter, but has yet to receive her response as of posting. (Editor: Katherine G. Adraneda)