It has been four days since one of your broadcasters, former Party-List Congressman Angelo Palmones aired on his radio program on DZRH and posted in his Facebook account a malicious accusation that under my watch as Secretary of Agriculture a “billion” pesos worth of Solar-Powered Irrigation Systems were left non-functional, a claim that insinuates incompetence and corruption.
It has been three days since I reacted to his call to President Rody Duterte to investigate what he claims to be an anomaly with a challenge for him to prove his accusation and an offer that I will resign from government right away if it is proven true.
Up to today, however, Angelo Palmones has not responded to my dare a proof that his accusations were not backed by facts and that his action was motivated by an orchestrated attempt to malign me.
Obviously, there are people behind Angelo Palmones and their motives are as clear as the light of day – divert the attention of people from the monumental blunder they committed which angered the farmers by looking for a scapegoat.
I have heard of stories of Angelo Palmones moonlighting as media consultant to political personalities which I believe is a mortal sin for a supposed objective media man who works for a respected broadcast company like DZRH-MBC.
Since I do not have the documents to prove this, I would rather leave it to the management of DZRH-MBC to confront him with this allegation.
I decided to write you officially to express my concern on the employment of Angelo Palmones in your broadcast company, known for its integrity and relentless crusade against wrong-doing in government.
This concern is borne out of the fact that Angelo Palmones, according to verified records, faces corruption charges before the Office of the Ombudsman for allegedly channeling P10-M from his Congressional Funds to a dubious Non-Government Organization purportedly for livelihood programs.
Unless this case has been resolved and Angelo Palmones has been cleared of any wrong-doing, I feel it is blatantly ironic and incongruous that he should be allowed to pontificate against wrong-doing and corruption in government using your broadcast facilities.
In fact, it is my belief that a former Congressman facing unresolved charges of corruption does not have any business lecturing people on good governance or accusing officials like me of corruption.
I cannot claim to be a perfect person or an ideal government worker. I may have committed errors or even blunders in my private life and my work but I assure you that corruption is not one of my sins.
Angelo Palmones has recklessly accused me of corruption and I will have to protect my name and my family’s dignity.
Honor and dignity are values that I am willing to die for.
It is because of this that I seek vindication. I will not impose on you and your broadcast company but I believe it is only just and fair that action should be taken against a broadcaster who recklessly makes baseless accusations against people in government.
He has obviously betrayed his oath of objectivity and fairness as a mediaman.
I am sending herewith a copy of the statement issued by the Presidential Anti-Corruption Commission (PACC) after a 7-month “lifestyle check” which I personally sought, clearing me of any wrong-doing.
Also attached herewith are images of a news item published in the media stating that Angelo Palmones faced charges of Corruption before the Ombudsman for allegedly diverting P10-M of his Congressional funds to a dubious NGO.
Thank you.
Manny Piñol
Chairman, Mindanao Development Authority
Former Secretary, Dept. of Agriculture
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