Palace: Charges vs solon et al part of efforts to curb corruption

Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines – It’s a warning to shape up or ship out.

Malacañang on Tuesday said the National Bureau of Investigation’s recommendation to charge a lawmaker and four others for allegedly faking the Special Allotment Release Orders (Saros) was part of the administration’s campaign against corruption.

“This is part of our continuing efforts to curb corruption and establish higher standards of public accountability,” Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma said in a text message.

“Those who persist in carrying out decadent practices in the bureaucracy are served notice to shape up or ship out,” he added.

The NBI recommended to the Department of Justice (DOJ) to file criminal cases against Aklan Representative Teodorico Haresco Jr., Emmanuel T. Raza, congressional staff of Congresswoman Lilia Macrohon-Nuno of Zamboanga City, Elvie Rafael, driver of Budget Undersecretary Mario Relampagos, and Bhernie C. Beltran from the Department of Budget and Management for allegedly falsifying public documents.

A fourth one, Mary Ann V. Castillo, a consultant in Haresco’s office, was recommended to be charged with obstruction of justice.

Individual allotments, as in the case of projects funded by the now defunct Priority Development Assistance Fund, are released through Saros.

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