Manila – Budget secretary Benjamin Diokno got backing from his fellow Cabinet officials in light of the House of Representatives’ request to President Rodrigo Duterte to fire him.
Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea on Friday said Cabinet officials have voiced their support for Diokno by signing a letter, which was sent to the President.
Among those who signed the letter were Carlos Dominguez III (Department of Finance), Ernesto Pernia (National Economic Development Authority), Vivencio Dizon (Bases Conversion and Development Authority), Arthur Tugade (Department of Transportation), Bernadette Romulo-Puyat (Department of Tourism), Fortunato de la Peña (Department of Science and Technology), Eduardo Año (Department of the Interior and Local Government), Ramon Lopez (Department of Trade and Industry), and Leonor Briones (Department of Education).
The letter stated that the congressional resolution urging for the ouster of Diokno violates the separation of powers from executive and legislative.
The lawmakers also showed “disrespect and utter lack of courtes” toward Diokno during last Tuesday’s session.
“To use the congressional process to bombard Secretary Diokno with pre-considered questions and answers in aid — not of legislation — but of persecution and excoriating him with baseless allegations is a mockery of standard democratic procedures” the Cabinet officials said.
“The fact that the resolution was swiftly approved and submitted the day after indicates that the series of acts was politically motivated and reeks of power play and ill purpose,” the letter added.
“We have carefully examined the records and conclude that Diokno’s actions have all been legitimate and in the interest of the nation,” it said. “We believe in and vouch for Secretary Diokno’s honesty, integrity and competence. We continue to stand by him and trust your wisdom.”
Presidential spokesperson Salvador Panelo earlier said Duterte has no plans to fire Diokno as the latter “continues to trust the Budget Secretary and the confidence reposed on him remains unimpaired.”
The House on Wednesday has adopted a resolution urging Duterte to reconsider Diokno’s appointment as Budget secretary due to the alleged insertion of billions of pesos into the proposed P3.757-trillion budget for 2019.
The lawmakers were also ganging up on Diokno as he allegedly used his influence for the approval of P10 billion worth of road and flood control projects in Casiguran and Sorsogon./PN
