Palace aide says DBP controversy won’t recur under Aquino rule

MANILA, Philippines—A Malacañang Palace aide said Saturday there won’t be a repetition of the controversy hounding the Development Bank of the Philippines under the Aquino administration.

A day after the Senate conducted a hearing on the alleged anomalous transactions businessman Roberto Ongpin had with the previous officials of the DBP, deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte said President Benigno Aquino would see to it that no irregularities are committed.

“That can be assured,” Valte said over the state-run radio dzRB.

“The President’s appointees are screened very well, and when there are problems, the President immediately calls their attention, and this is not something that will be tolerated by the President,” she added.

Former DBP executives were under investigation by the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee for the allegedly irregular grant of  P660-million in loans to Ongpin.