MANILA, Philippines—“There is no question (about it).” That was Malacañang’s response when asked if Secretary Panfilo Lacson still has the confidence of President Benigno Aquino III.
Lacson on Monday reported on the achievements of the government on the rehabilitation of areas hit by super typhoon “Yolanda” last year. He also criticized Mayor Alfred Romualdez for contributing to the “below par” performance of Tacloban City, in addition to accusing the Romualdez family of supporting and gathering protesters against the national government.
While Valte said it was not clear if Lacson was also referring to People Surge, a group of typhoon survivors criticizing the government for inadequate response to the disaster, she said she was “certain Secretary Lacson would not have said anything if he did not have proof to back it up.”
President Benigno Aquino III and Panfilo Lacson. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO
Lacson said on Monday that they found out that the truck bus that carried the protesters to Tacloban City was seen parked at a property owned by the Romualdezes. He said anti-government placards were also “seen stocked” behind the Tacloban City hall.
However, People Surge on Tuesday said Lacson should be declared persona non grata for his “malicious depiction” of their “legitimate grievances.”
Asked if the government will investigate if taxpayers’ money was spent to support the rallies, Valte said that is part of the Commission on Audit’s function.
“I’m quite certain that the commission on audit has been very watchful,” she said. “I cannot prejudge what has taken place. I am merely pointing out it has been the function of the COA to see if public money is being disbursed properly and for the reasons it is being allocated for.”
“Well certainly we hope that no public money is being used to fund the protests because money of the LGU (local government unit) is meant to help people,” she said.
Valte also pointed out that while Romualdez denied that Tacloban received P6.1 billion in programs and projects from various government agencies, he acknowledged receiving P250 million.
Lacson blasted Romualdez for claiming that his city did not receive a single centavo from the national government.
“We are certain that the assistance that we have extended to our fellows in Tacloban and all the other areas are substantiated by records,” Valte said.
Asked if Malacañang will support Lacson’s call to amend the Government Procurement Act to ensure that contractors using substandard materials won’t go scot-free, he said it “should be up for greater discussion.”
She said the government needs to balance things and ensure that “any proposed amendments will not dilute the content (or) will not make the process more burdensome.”
“Sometimes the process can be burdensome…the balance has to be struck between strict but not prohibiting,” she said.
Lacson earlier said contractors who are found using substandard materials could easily correct their mistake without much repercussion.
“There’s a provision there giving the contractors 90 days to make amends, to correct the mistakes and to me that’s encouraging them to construct with defects. If they get away with it, then fine, they get bigger profits. If they are found out then they have 90 days,” he said.
Valte pointed out the Department of Public Works and Highways blacklists such contractors but Secretary Rogelio Singson said they gave consideration to the contractors, who argued that they used materials available in the market after the typhoon.
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