This, even as the Clark Investors and Locators Association (CILA) came to the defense of CDC head Noel Manankil, saying none of its members have reported allegations that he had tried to extort P2 million each from them.
“I was shocked by the report. It just seems to be a product of black propaganda,” said CILA president Joselito Go, who is also president of the Viskase firm in this Freeport, in a telephone interview from the US.
In his statement yesterday, Manankil said “in the meantime, I am voluntarily taking a leave of absence effective today to allow the investigations to proceed unimpeded.”
“I would like to categorically and very strongly deny any involvement in the alleged anomaly of demanding bribes from Clark locators. I have served in low key positions at the CDC for 21 years, the latest as vice president for administration and finance,” he noted.
He recalled that “during those two decades of service, I have never been involved in anything illegal in Clark.”
“Because I am aware and that i adhere to the position of the President against corruption – even just hints of it – I fully submit myself to an impartial investigation on the allegations,” he said.
“I leave my fate to God, ever confident that truth and justice will prevail,” he added.
In a telephone interview, Manankil said that as of late Wednesday, he was not aware of any report linking him to any anomaly.
It was reported that Manankil has allegedly been asking P2 million from investors at Clark, but colleagues of Manankil in CDC said they found the report “quite incredible.”
Pres. Duterte allegedly asked Transportation Sec. Arthur Tugade, former CDC president who had backed the appointment of Manakil as his replacement at the CDC, to have Manankil fired for alleged corruption.
CDC officials and employees, who asked not to be named so as not to cross the President, said, however, that they have “known Manankil for decades in the CDC and that they have not known him to be inclined to corruption.”
“We have known him personally since 1996 in the CDC. He is an honest man and it is difficult to believe he could be involved in any wrong doing. He belongs to a very religious family,” said a senior CDC official who asked not to be named.
“It’s all black propaganda perhaps initiated by some people affected by the strict and incorruptible policies of the CDC as initiated by former CDC president Arthur Tugade’” said another employee. Tugade had barred CDC officials from accepting any gift from investors and even barred them from accepting even invitations for lunch or dinner.
In his speech during the Presidential Security Group’s 120th anniversary, Duterte was quoted in a news story as saying “I’m about to fire somebody from (CDC) once it is proven that he accepted bribes.”
“Duterte did not mention if he was actually referring to Manankil, although a source of The STAR said that Duterte had directed Tugade to inform Manankil about his decision during the board meeting of the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) last Tuesday at Malacañang,” the news report said.
“I want that guy fired,” Duterte was quoted telling Tugade during the meeting.
“You avoid corruption… kaya hindi tayo umaasenso,” Duterte reiterated to all members of his government. He told them to “avoid corruption during my time” or face his wrath.
“Uupakan ko kayo,” he warned in his speech.
