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VP Noli breaks silence, denies protecting Legacy owner


MANILA, Philippines — Vice President Noli de Castro on Wednesday finally broke his silence over his alleged close relationship with embattled Legacy Group of Companies owner Celso de los Angeles. Interviewed by GMA News’ Kara David, De Castro admitted knowing De los Angeles but he denied taking part in the latter’s alleged illegal activities. “Ano naman ang kinalaman ko sa pagbagsak at panloloko niya? Kahit ba siya kilala ko hindi naman ako kasama sa panloloko [what do I know about his collapse and defrauding? Even if I know him I’m not involved with his scamming," De Castro said. The vice president was earlier accused of being one of very high officials protecting De los Angeles, who allegedly misused company resources. De Castro – the strongest contender for the 2010 presidential elections — said allegations were being hurled against him because of “politics." “Nangyayari lang ‘yan dahil may pulitika ngayon. Pero kung wala hindi naman pag-uusapan ‘yan eh [this happens because of politics. But without that, the issue would be ignored]," he said. De Castro said he was fed up with reports dragging his name into the controversy. He further said that the public should focus on catching the real criminal instead of implicating him. De Castro admitted recommending De los Angeles to become president of the National Home Mortgage Finance Corp. (NHMFC) “because he is qualified" for the job. He added that De los Angeles’ track record was clean at the time he was recommended. He added that before the embattled Legacy owner was recommended to the NHMFC, De los Angeles has been previously appointed to a government housing institution, Home Guarantee Corp. “Isa siya sa mga nirekomenda ko sa Search Committee because he is qualified. Nagtapos siya sa Georgetown University, may clearance din siya I remember sa Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas," he said. [“He was one of those I recommended to the search committee because he is qualified. He graduated from Georgetown University and he also has a clearance from the Bangko Sentral ang Pilipinas."] The NHMFC is under the office of De Castro, who heads the government’s housing program. NHMFC is responsible for the sourcing of funds for the government’s housing projects. He, however, stressed that it is impossible for De los Angeles to use his position to further expand his business. “I don’t think so magagamit niya ‘yon dahil housing ‘yun eh. Wala naman kinalaman yung kanya sa housing so hindi niya magagamit. Andon ako? Eh ‘di pag ginamit niya ako haharang. Wala wala wala," said De Castro. Aie Balagtas See, GMANews.TV
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