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Malacañang will not ask Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) Director General Joel Villanueva to go on leave after he was charged over his alleged involvement in the pork barrel scam.
Villanueva, former Citizens’ Battle Against Corruption (CIBAC) party-list representative, was one of nine lawmakers included in the third batch of cases filed by the Department of Justice (DOJ) before the Office of the Ombudsman on Friday.
Villanueva, a known ally of President Benigno Aquino III, allegedly received P2.33 million in kickbacks from his pork barrel allocations supposedly diverted to bogus NGOs set up by Janet Lim Napoles, the alleged scam mastermind.
In a radio interview on Saturday, Communications Secretary Sonny Coloma said Villanueva, or any of the lawmakers included in the complaints, is not required to go on leave.
“Sa ilalim ng umiiral na batas, hindi minamandato na lumiban o mag-file ng leave ang mga halal o hinirang na opisyal na kasama sa isang inihaing impormasyon sa Office of the Ombudsman. Ipauubaya natin ang pagpapasya sa mga kinauukulang opisyal,” he said.
The Palace believes that Villanueva, being a “conscientious public servant,” will make the right decision.
“[S]a lahat po ng pagkakataon ay nakita naman natin yung kanyang pagsisikap na maipatupad yung maraming programa na ikabubuti ng kalagayan ng ating mga mamamayan sa pamamagitan ng pagkakaroon ng kinakailangang technical o vocational skills,” said Coloma.
“Kaya makatitiyak po tayo na gagawa siya ng nararapat na desisyon at ang desisyong ‘yan ay nakabatay sa interes ng publiko at hindi po mapapabayaan yung gawain ng kanyang tanggapan,” he added.
Photo: Gov.ph
This article has been re-published with permission from ABS-CBNnews.com.
