PNoy wants process of DBP probe reviewed after lawyer's suicide

The President on Wednesday ordered Finance Secretary Cesar Purisima to review the investigation processes of the Development Bank of the Philippines (DBP) after a bank official supposedly committed suicide in relation to a bank investigation. “I am curious like everybody else as to why he had taken his life… and now I am anticipating the report of Secretary Purisima to further clarify what the process is, et cetera, in unearthing what has happened in DBP in the previous board," said President Benigno Aquino III, as he sent his condolences to the family of lawyer and bank executive Benjamin Pinpin. Pinpin, an assistant vice president of DBP, was found hanging by a nylon cord in the bathroom of a budget hotel in Las Piñas on Tuesday. In a note he left addressed to his family, Pinpin said “his problem with the Development Bank of the Philippines" is his reason for taking his life. The President said he is requesting Purisima to review the investigations by the current DBP board and see if the board members have been “overzealous" in their efforts. Various reports said DBP’s rank and file employees have expressed concern over the ongoing investigations that have reportedly affected the morale of officials and employees. “If they have been overzealous… we will rein them in," Aquino said. “Ang hinahabol po natin dito hindi mang-usig ng kung sinoman lalo na sa rank and file… pero para malaman nga ano ba ang nangyari diyan, ano bang damage ang nangyari sa inyong institusyon. Sa dulo po nito para mailagay kayo sa mas mabuting kondisyon," Aquino added. —PE/VS, GMA News