Former drugs board chair fired over corruption raps

MANILA - Former Dangerous Drugs Board ( DDB) chairperson Dionisio Santiago was fired by President Rodrigo Duterte because of corruption allegations hurled against him, Malacañang said on Monday, November 20.

Speaking to Palace reporters, Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said Duterte "let go" of Santiago because the latter was accused of "using taxpayers' money for junket abroad."

Roque, citing a complaint filed before the Office of the President, said Santiago also allegedly brought with him his "mistress" and "select, favorite" employees of DDB.

"General Santiago was let go by the President, not only because of his statements on the mega drug rehab center being a mistake. He was also let go because of the complaints that General Santiago was using taxpayers' money for junket abroad," Roque told a press conference.

Roque said that Santiago was also accused of receiving a house from slain Ozamiz City Mayor Reynaldo Parojinog, who was killed during an anti- drug operation.

Filing of possible criminal cases would be up to the Office of the Ombudsman.

"It's ultimately the Ombudsman that conducts the preliminary investigation," Roque said.

Santiago earlier confirmed that he was asked by Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea to take a graceful exit following his adverse remark about the construction of a mega drug rehabilitation facility in Nueva Ecija.

In an interview on November 8, Duterte admitted that he was offended by Santiago's "incongruous" statement that it was a wrong move for the government to build a 100- square- meter mega drug rehabilitation center. SunStar Philippines