NextGen Day

MANILA, Philippines — When former Environment Secretary Roy Cimatu was still in charge of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), no allegations of corruption were leveled against him, Malacanang stated on Friday.

The clarification came a day after Duterte revealed that he had removed at least six Cabinet officials linked to the shady Manila Bay reclamation projects.

Acting Presidential Spokesperson and Communications Secretary Martin Andanar stated Cimatu left the Environment job due to health considerations in a press statement.

“Former Secretary of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources Roy Cimatu resigned owing to health concerns,” Andanar added. “Therefore, the suggestion and/or rumor of his involvement in corruption is false.”

In a speech held in Lapu-Lapu City on Thursday, Duterte refused to name the six Cabinet officials who were fired for allegedly being involved in the bizarre Manila Bay reclamation plans.

Duterte, on the other hand, claimed that the corruption scandal had prompted him to order the DENR to halt the processing of reclamation petitions.

Duterte was not referring to Cimatu, according to Andanar.

“On February 18, 2022, the Office of the Presidential Spokesperson even issued a statement wishing the former DENR Secretary good health,” he stated. “Moreover, President Rodrigo Roa Duterte has praised former Secretary Cimatu on multiple occasions for successfully transforming and cleaning up Boracay and Manila Bay.”

Due to health considerations, Cimatu, a retired chief of staff of the Philippine Armed Forces, tendered his resignation letter to Duterte’s office on February 17.

After the Commission on Appointments rejected the appointment of former Environment Secretary Gina Lopez, Cimatu was designated DENR chief in May 2017.

On top of his duties as DENR secretary, Cimatu was appointed as an overseer of the government’s increased pandemic response measures in Cebu City during the coronavirus pandemic.

Acting Deputy Presidential Spokesperson and Communications Undersecretary Michel Kristian Ablan indicated in an online news briefing that the Palace will let the legal process regarding the suspected involvement of fired Cabinet officials in corruption run its course.

“If it includes DENR personnel, meron naman po tayong pina-follow dito po sa executive branch,” Ablan explained. “Dadaan naman po tayo sa tamang proceso kung meron po talagang proof na may corruption na nangyari,” says the speaker (We will follow the right procedures if there is a proof of corruption). As a result, we must have faith in our institutions and processes.”

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