Malacañang won’t ask Relampagos to file leave of absence amid pork case

Budget Undersecretary Mario Relampagos.   INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines—Malacañang on Wednesday said it will not ask Department of Budget and Management (DBM) Undersecretary Mario Relampagos to go on a leave of absence amid facing plunder charges.

“Mayroon ding proseso ang hukuman na wala sa hurisdiksyon ng ehekutibo, kaya dapat hintayin natin na magpasya ang hukuman,” Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. told media.

He said their principle is not to focus on high-profile personalities but to implement the law fairly.

Asked if Malacañang is not worried that Relampagos and his staff allegedly involved in the pork barrel scam are still working in the DBM despite the investigation, Coloma said people shouldn’t be quick to pass judgement on them.

“Kung maaari ay hinay-hinay muna tayo dahil may proseso naman ‘yung batas. Hintayin muna natin na magpasya ang Sandiganbayan kung ano ang ruling nila, ano, dahil nasa kamay na ng hukuman,” he said.

(If possible, we shouldn’t be quick to pass judgement because the law has a process. Let’s wait for the Sandiganbayan to decide, what their ruling is, because the case is already in the hands of the court.)

Coloma assured the public the government will follow whatever the court orders.

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