Diokno has more solid reputation vs accusers, Palace says

December 18, 2018

The reputation of Budget Secretary Benjamin Diokno is more solid as compared to those lawmakers who have been accusing him of irregularities in handling the government's budget, Malacañang said on Tuesday.

In a press briefing, Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo echoed Diokno's statement the allegation against him could just be a "diversionary" tactic by some congressmen whose districts allegedly could get huge funding following the changes they made in the proposed P3.757 trillion budget for next year, which Malacañang initially prepared.

"Yes, I was just following the line of Secretary Diokno. According to him, this started because Senator (Panfilo) Lacson exposed certain amendments or insertions. And because the members of Congress or two of them were in the hot seat, according to him most likely they tried to put him on a hot seat instead of them. So in a way, it’s diverting the issue – from them to him," he said.

He reiterated that the Palace supports Diokno.

"Well, we already made our statement – we stand by the integrity and competence of Secretary Diokno; all of us are in support of him; the President (Rodrigo Duterte) trusts him. As we said earlier, rightly or wrongly as between the reputation of Secretary Diokno and other members who cast aspersions on him, I think the… comparison is obvious rightly or wrongly. The reputation of Secretary Diokno is solid," Panelo said.

In 32 years of Diokno's government service, he noted there is nothing that the public could throw at him.

"He was known to be one who says ‘no’ to any irregularity or any favor that is asked of him – and he has been consistent with that," he added.

In the Question Hour in the House of Representatives last week, some lawmakers, particularly Majority Leader Rolando Andaya Jr., accused Diokno of having a hand in the P75 billion "insertions" in the proposed budget of the Department of Public Works and Highways without the knowledge of Public Works Secretary Mark Villar.

Some congressmen also alleged certain private companies were only able to corner huge infrastructure projects, insinuating that Diokno had something to do with the contracts.

But Diokno denied any wrongdoing, as he called the "insertions" as "adjustments" in order to meet the target infrastructure spending for next year. He also denied having a hand in the choice of contractors, saying that the DPWH has the expertise on this.

Andaya's district was reportedly among those areas with big allocation after the House allegedly made changes in the proposed budget.

A day after the Question Hour, the House came out with a resolution, calling Duterte to remove Diokno in the Cabinet. Duterte refused to heed the call as the Palace even asked Congress to accord respect to any Cabinet official it has invited to serve as a resource person.

With the House's plan to summon again Diokno in a hearing in Naga City on January 3 in connection with the alleged irregularities in the choice of contractors and in the proposed budget, Diokno, in an interview at ANC on Monday, said he was prevented from attending. He did not mention who stopped him.

But in the same press briefing, Panelo said  it could be Duterte who ordered Diokno not to attend anymore the hearing.

"Oh there is only one who cannot make him go there, it’s the President. So presumably it’s coming from the President. Perhaps, the fear there is he (Diokno) might again be receiving the same rude treatment. And according to him, if the only question is, ‘Do I know these people that they are claiming that I know, like the contractor. He said, ‘I don’t know them. So I’ll just execute an affidavit’," he said.

Panelo challenged those accusing Diokno to file charges if they have evidence to substantiate their allegation.

"So whatever allegation they have on corruption, I think it’s about time they come up with evidence. You cannot be relying on according to him, according to this mayor, according to this other mayor there is its and such an anomaly. You can’t be destroying reputations of people on the basis of hearsay. You feel there is an offense, then please file it against the alleged wrongdoer," he said. Celerina Monte/DMS