In a late night press conference on April 3, President Rodrigo Duterte fired Manuelito Luna, the Presidential Anti-Corruption Commission (PACC) Commissioner who a day earlier had called for an NBI probe of Vice President Leni Robredo.
Luna had accused Robredo of allegedly “competing with the DOH, DSWD, and OCD/NDRRMC, or undermining their efforts” by soliciting help from individuals and the private sector in order to deliver much-needed medical supplies to healthcare frontliners .
The President chided Luna for his uncalled for remarks.
“ Leni was calling the private sector . M anghingi siya ng tulong . Tama ‘ yan ,” Duterte said. “ May tao ako … Manuelito Luna, gusto ni ya na ipa- imbestiga si Leni , kung bakit nag-solicit. Kaya noong narinig ko , sabi ko , ‘ Fire him: As of this moment, he’s no longer connected with government."
Duterte cleared Robredo of any fault.
“ I to nam a ng panahong ‘ to na wala nama ng kasalanan ang vice president , bakit i imb i stigahan ? ”
Earlier, another PACC commissioner, Greco Belgica , had said what Luna expressed was his own personal opinion and no t the stance of the entire commission.
The Office of the Vice President (OVP), in partnership with charity group Kaya Natin! , has raised more than P40 million, which is being used for the procurement of PPEs for medical staff around the country. As of April 3, the OVP has distributed over 35,000 PPEs sets to 122 hospitals and communities around the country .
The OVP has also spearheaded a free shuttle service intended to ferry health workers and other frontliners. It has partnered with the private sector to provide vehicles that will ferry passengers from 10 pickup points at 40 different schedules.
Robredo also opened free dormitories for frontliners , so they do not need to travel farther and increase their risk of exposure to the virus.
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