National Irrigation Administration chief Peter Laviña has resigned from his post following reports that he allegedly demanded a kickback of “40 percent” from contractors.
In a Facebook post, Laviña denied allegations that he asked money from NIA contractors and announced his resignation to “spare the President” from further embarrassment.
“I have been vilified in the past; my name used, abused, and maligned. Recently, there had been efforts to discredit me again,” Lavina said.
“There are rumors circulating that I have asked money from NIA contractors. These are not true!” he added.
The former campaign spokesperson of President Duterte said he does not have any personal vested interest or ill intent towards the NIA and the whole Duterte government.
He also assured that he has not betrayed the trust of the President and thanked him for the opportunity to serve the government.
“I have proven in the past that one need not be in government to do public service or work for the common good. I will likely continue to do so in media, civil society, and the business sector where I have been involved before,” he said.
However, reports said that Duterte, who appointed Laviña to the post last November, told labor groups on Monday evening that he sacked Laviña from his post due to alleged involvement in corruption.
Duterte hinted last week that he sacked a Cabinet official due to corruption. In his speech during the launching of the Bangsamoro Transition Commission in Davao City, Duterte said that he fired someone from Davao City.
“As a matter of fact, I fired last night one taga-Davao who for simply making a remark about – sabi ko he’s out and I told him even a whiff of corruption, talagang tatanggalin kita,” Duterte said.
Cabinet Secretary Jun Evasco said Laviña tendered his resignation to spare the President from embarrassment.
“NIA Administrator Peter Laviña tendered his resignation amidst attempts to vilify, discredit, and malign him and to spare the President from any embarrassment,” Evasco said.
“It is with deep regret that our office receives this news and wishes him well in his next endeavors,” he added. (Argyll Cyrus B. Geducos)
