MANILA, Philippines — President Rodrigo Duterte is only looking for evidence of wrongdoing, Malacañang said Thursday as it denied that there are supposed exceptions in the government-wide corruption probe.
Senator Panfilo Lacson said the move to investigate the entire government of corruption “started on the wrong foot” due to alleged “exceptions” like Health Secretary Francisco Duque III and Public Works Secretary Mark Villar.
“Wala naman po sigurong ganoon,” presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said in an online briefing when sought for comment on Lacson’s remarks.
(There is nothing like that.)
“Naghahanap lang po ng ebidensya ang Pangulo. Kahit sino naman po, kahit gaano kalapit sa kanya, kahit gaano ang pagpuri niya sa nakaraan, kung meron naman pong ebidensya ng katiwalian ay parurusahan ng ating Presidente,” he added.
(The President is only looking for evidence. Anyone, regardless of their ties with him and his praise of them, if there is evidence of wrongdoing, the President will punish them.)
Duterte recently announced that he ordered the Department of Justice to launch a sweeping probe against corruption across the bureaucracy.
The President has repeatedly aired his frustration against corruption in his public speeches.
But while he railed against corruption, Duterte still vouched for Villar saying the Secretary is already rich and does not need to pocket public funds.
Duterte also expressed his continued trust in Duque, saying there is no basis to heed calls from Congress to suspend or replace the Health official.