MANILA, Philippines — President Rodrigo Duterte still trusts Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) Governor Benjamin Diokno who is facing a graft complaint before the Ombudsman over an alleged anomalous contract for the production of national identification cards, Malacañang said Thursday.
Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque vouched for Diokno’s integrity and expressed confidence that he will be able to answer the allegations.
“Kung maalala niyo, si Governor Diokno until fairly recently was in the Cabinet enjoying the full trust and confidence of the President. In fact, he trusted him so much that he promoted him to become Central Bank Governor,” Roque said in an online briefing.
Diokno recently went on medical leave to remove a blood clot after a minor accident.
“So naninindigan po tayo sa integridad ni Governor Diokno at alam naman natin na karapatan ng kahit sinong mamamayan na magsampa ng kaso pero kampante po kami at nagtitiwala na magbibigay linaw po si Governor Diokno sa issue na ito,” Roque said.
(We stand by Governor Diokno’s integrity and we know that it’s the citizens’ right to file complaints but we are confident and we trust that Governor Diokno will clear this issue.)
Ricardo Fulgencio IV, chairman of Stop Corruption Organization of the Philippines Inc., alleged that Diokno and six other BSP officials favored OVD Kinegram AD for the card production of national IDs.
Fulgencio also claimed that the P1.75 billion contract was awarded to the said company without public bidding which is prohibited by procurement laws.
READ: Graft complaint filed vs Diokno, other BSP execs for P1.75-B contract for IDs
BSP, in a statement, assured that officials concerned will “respond in the proper forum once required in accordance with applicable rules.”