Duterte fires PACC commissioner who sought NBI probe on Robredo

Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, April 3) — President Rodrigo Duterte says he has fired Presidential Anti-Corruption Commissioner Manuelito Luna for recommending an investigation on Vice President Leni Robredo over her alleged illegal solicitations amid the COVID-19 crisis.

“May tao ako na abogado sa PACC, Commissioner Manuelito Luna. Gusto niya ipa-imbestiga si Leni kung bakit nagsolicit, anak ng... Kaya noong narinig ko, sabi ko, fire him," said the President in an online briefing Friday evening. "As of this moment, he is longer connected with government."

[Translation: I have an official who is a lawyer in the PACC, commissioner, Manuelito Luna. He wanted to have Leni investigated for soliciting. When I heard it, I said, fire him.]

Duterte, who did not say who he instructed to fire Luna, went on to commend Robredo for her efforts in seeking help from private companies to provide for the public amid the coronavirus disease pandemic.

“Si Leni was calling the private sector na magtulong. Naghingi siya ng tulong. Tama 'yan. Maghingi ka ng tulong sa kapwa mong tao,” he said.

[Translation: Leni was calling the private sector to help. She was asking for help. That was right. You should ask for help form your compatriots.]

The PACC official earlier questioned the Office of the Vice President’s free shuttle service and dormitory for health workers, as well as donations of personal protective equipment to various hospitals.

Luna later asked the National Bureau of Investigation to launch a probe on Robredo for "competing" with the government.

Other PACC officials distanced themselves from Luna's statement, saying it was not the agency's position but that it was just an opinion from one of its commissioners.

While admitting they had differences in the past, Duterte maintained the Vice President did nothing wrong. He also warned officials from the NBI that he would also sack them if they continued the probe.

"Itong panahon na ito na wala naman kasalanan 'yung Vice President... bakit ipapaimbestiga mo? Saka 'yung NBI magimbestiga diyan pati kayo isali ko kayo sa dismissal," he said.

[Translation: In these times, when the Vice President did nothing wrong...why would you have her investigated? Those from the NBI who will investigate her, I will also include you in dismissal.]

In his speeches in the past, the President repeatedly criticized Robredo, even going as far as calling her a "colossal blunder" and urging the public not to vote for her in succeeding elections.