Clark agency head goes on leave amid talk of sacking

Streamers like this appear at the Clark Freeport, hung by employees of Clark Development Corp. in support of CDC head Noel F. Manankil.—TONETTE OREJAS

CLARK FREEPORT—The president and chief executive officer of the Clark Development Corp. (CDC) took a leave of absence on Thursday to give way to any investigation that President Duterte may order into alleged corruption in the state-owned agency.

“I am voluntarily taking a leave of absence effective today (Thursday) to allow the investigation to proceed unimpeded. I leave my fate to God, ever confident that truth and justice will prevail,” Noel Manankil said in a statement.

“I’m about to fire somebody from here once it is proven that he accepted bribes,” Mr. Duterte said in a speech at the Air Force City on Wednesday when he witnessed the turnover of guns and bullets donated by China.

Mr. Duterte reportedly asked a top Cabinet official to investigate reports implicating Manankil to supposed extortion.

Manankil denied he demanded bribes from locators.

“We have great faith in Noel Manankil,” said Steven Virata, chair of the 600-member Clark Investors and Locators Association (Cila). “We have worked with him and there has been no incident of any impropriety.”

Cila had been critical about services at CDC, he said, but the group is seeking an audience with Mr. Duterte to vouch for the integrity of Manankil.

Manankil was the first CDC president to rise from the ranks, having worked with the agency for 21 years. Before becoming president, he served as vice president for administration and finance.

“During those two decades of service, I have never been involved in anything illegal in Clark,” he said.

The Inquirer learned that Manankil was targeted by rumors for issuing a notice of violation against a Korean-funded vibro (sand sifting) project on Sacobia River. Equipment in the project were installed and operated by an Aeta group.