The Malacañang Palace denied that former DENR secretary Roy Cimatu was among those named by Pang. Rodrigo Duterte involved in corruption in mining operations.
This follows President Rodrigo Duterte's statement that he has fired six officials from his cabinet for alleged involvement in corruption, particularly in land reclamation projects in Manila.
Acting Deputy Presidential Spokesperson Undersecretary Kristian Ablan said at the palace briefing that the allegations of some Cimatu about what President Duterte meant by the alleged breach of duty were untrue.
Ablan further clarified that Cimatu resigned as DENR chief due to health concerns.
"I don't know if you insulted former DENR secretary Cimatu 'no. But Secretary Cimatu, he resigned in February for health reasons. In fact, the Office of the Presidential Spokesperson sent a message of thanks to many. Years ago. service of ex-Secretary Cimatu according to Ablan.
So that, Rose, those Marites rumors about it, that’s not true.
In fact, President Duterte has repeatedly recognized and praised Cimatu for the successful renovation and cleanup of Boracay and Manila Bay.
However, Malacañang assured the public that the matter will go through the proper process through the Office of the Ombudsman, Office of the Solicitor General (OSG) and Sandiganbayan.
“So if they are DENR officials, we have processes followed here by the executive. We have an Ombudsman, we also have OSG lawyers and we have the Sandiganbayan. So we go through the proper process if there is real evidence that corruption has taken place. So we have to trust our institutions and we have to trust our process, ”said Ablan.