Palace backs Teresita Deles

Deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte. INQUIRER

In Malacañang, deputy spokesperson Abigail Valte said witness Ansari Alonto was lying when he testified that Teresita Deles, President Benigno Aquino III’s adviser on the peace process, campaigned for and provided logistics support for Arroyo’s presidential candidacy in 2004.

“The allegation was that funds of the [Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process then also headed by Deles] were used in 2004 to campaign for former President Arroyo. That’s not true,” Valte said at yWednesday’s news briefing.

Asked if Malacañang was not too quick to clear Deles, Valte said: “Her [own ]response was quick. When we asked her [about the allegation], she really said, ‘That’s not true,’ and her statement was very detailed.”

She added: “Don’t get us wrong. We are open for investigation but we have the response from Secretary Deles.” Norman Bordadora