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Puno included in DILG probe on jueteng — Palace


Malacañang on Wednesday said the alleged involvement of Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) undersecretary Rico Puno in jueteng operations will be included in the ongoing investigation being conducted by DILG secretary Jesse Robredo. Deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte also assured the public that there would be no whitewash in the investigation on Puno, a close friend of President Benigno Aquino III. “Of course, there is a presumption of regularity…in every action that every government official does. Let’s give Secretary Robredo the benefit of the doubt," she said. Robredo is presently drafting a comprehensive plan to strengthen the government's campaign against jueteng.


Puno was among the personalities who were allegedly receiving monthly payoffs amounting to millions from jueteng operators. The accusations came from retired Lingayen-Dagupan Archbishop Oscar Cruz and Sen. Miriam Defensor-Santiago. Puno has denied the allegations, but admitted that some jueteng operators had tried to approach him in the past. Puno, also embroiled in the August 23 Manila hostage tragedy, said he would tender his resignation once Aquino returns from his weeklong visit to the United States. Presidential Communications Development and Strategic Planning Office secretary Ricky Carandang said he has already texted President Aquino regarding Puno’s possible resignation, but the President has yet to give any reaction. “I texted the President about the latest developments here. Everyday I send him text messages just to let him know. Sometimes he replies, sometimes he doesn’t," he said. Valte, meanwhile, said as far as she knows, Puno still enjoys the trust and confidence of President Aquino. - KBK, GMANews.TV
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