MANILA, Philippines – Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) board member Sandra Cam, who asked to be relieved of her duties since she can no longer stand the alleged corrupt practices in the agency, can resign anytime and should file a formal complaint, Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo said Friday.
Panelo added that President Rodrigo Duterte will order a thorough investigation, once a complaint is filed.
In a press conference on Thursday, Cam appealed to Duterte to relieve her of her duties, citing massive corruption in the agency.
READ: Sandra Cam wants out of PCSO board
Panelo described Cam’s revelations as “some serious allegations.”
“We asked her to formally submit in writing her complaint to the Presidential Anti-Corruption Commission (PACC), which is directly under the Office of the President so that it would be acted on accordingly,” he said in a statement.
“She could file corruption charges against the PCSO officials and submit proof of her allegations before the said commission,” he added.
“The President will order a full blown investigation on those allegations of corruption as soon as formal charges are filed.”
Panelo said “President Rodrigo Roa Duterte is beholden to no one.”
“He will not spare even his close friends and long-time allies in his drive to weed out corruption in the bureaucracy. We repeat: There are no sacred cows in this administration,” he said.
“We thus urge the likes of Ms. Cam to come forward and expose government shenanigans and malfeasance if she knows any,” he added.
Panelo assured Cam and other whistleblowers that “they have PRRD’s ears in this regard.”
“As to Ms. Cam’s request to relieve her in her present post, she does not have to wait for her relief by the President. She can tender her resignation if she cannot stand the alleged corruption within the PCSO,” he said. (Editor: Gilbert S. Gaviola)