Palace on Nayong Pilipino squabble: File a complaint

Malacañang said that those who have information on the alleged corruption in the Nayong Pilipino Foundation (NPF) should come forward and file a complaint before the Office of the President (OP) for it to be investigated.

Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque made the statement following reports of junkets of NPF officials to South Korea last year, and the decision of NPF chairperson Patricia Ocampo to press cyber libel charges against Nayong Pilipino Executive Director Maria Fema Duterte.

Roque, in a text message, confirmed that the Office of the Executive Secretary (OES) has received word about the rift in the NPF. He also called on those with information about the issue to come forward.

“Reports of an ongoing rift in the Nayong Pilipino Foundation have reached the Office of the Executive Secretary. We encourage persons with information to come forward and file a complaint with the Office of the President,” Roque said.

Ocampo on Monday filed a case of cyber libel against Fema Duterte, a distant relative of the President, over social media posts of the Executive Director of the tourism agency accusing Ocampo of corruption.

Ocampo also confirmed the accusation of the President’s relative that she is a dual citizen.

However, the NPF chairperson said that she is not covered by the Civil Service Commission (CSC) rule that prohibits government officials from having dual citizenship.

NPF spokesperson Joyce Reaño said that NPF officials do not need CSC approval to stay at their office since, as presidential appointees, only President Duterte can axe them.