The former director of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) who was fired by President Rodrigo Duterte yesterday said she has no idea about the corruption allegations linked to her.
In a statement sent to the media today, Nela Charade Puno said she has received her letter of termination and has accepted Duterte’s decision. However, she said she was clueless about the corruption issues that the president fired her for.
Presidential Spokesman Salvador Panelo yesterday announced Duterte’s decision, which the former said was “in line with the President’s continuing mandate to eradicate graft and corruption, and to ensure that public officials and employees conduct themselves in a manner worthy of public trust,” reported ABS-CBN News.
Puno was terminated via a letter written by Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea which Panelo read to the media yesterday, Rappler reported. Medialdea’s letter didn’t explain Puno’s alleged corruption case, and neither did Panelo, reported The Philippine Star.
In her statement, Puno insisted that she worked at the FDA for almost three years “with complete honesty, diligence, dedication, and loyalty.” She said she hasn’t been charged with any case but is more than ready to face one if she is charged in any forum.
She also touted several achievements the FDA secured during her term, such as receiving three ISO certifications and the accreditation of its regulatory standards.
“I leave the FDA with a clear conscience and what I believe to be a clean record,” she said. “It is completely unnecessary to sully the personal and professional reputations of people who sacrifice to render public service.”
Despite the fighting words, Puno said she is accepting Duterte’s decision “without any ill feelings.”
Prior to working in the government, Puno was the president of Rochar Cosmeceuticals, a company which produces and sells skin care products.
