Amid Pulong’s criticisms, Duterte ‘happy with work’ of Puyat – Nograles

MANILA, Philippines — Tourism Secretary Bernadette Puyat continues to enjoy the trust and confidence of President Rodrigo Duterte, Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles said Friday amid presidential son and Deputy Speaker Paolo Duterte’s complaints against her.

“‘Yung full trust and confidence ni Pangulo kay Sec. Berna obviously continues. Alam naman natin na maganda naman ‘yung mga ginagawa ni Sec. Berna as far as tourism is concerned,” Nograles told reporters in Malacañang.

The younger Duterte on Thursday said he had received complaints about Puyat’s “character and management style” in relation to her approval of contracts and projects in the Department of Tourism (DOT).

Paolo, however, did not specify which contracts and projects were anomalous. But according to him, he owes to the people of Davao City to reveal Puyat’s character.

READ: Paolo Duterte slams DOT chief Puyat over issues on her ‘management style’

Nograles, a former lawmaker, said he is unaware of any complaints against Puyat that have reached the President.

“Hindi ko alam kung nag-usap na ba si Pangulo at si Sec. Berna regarding that, pero we work under the full trust and confidence of the President and as long as andyan ‘yung full trust and confidence we will serve as his alter egos, but ultimately lahat naman kami answerable to the President eh,” he said.

But when asked how is the President with Puyat during Cabinet meetings, Nograles said: “All praises, very warm, ano naman, he is happy with the work of Sec. Berna so far, so abangan na lang po natin.” /kga