Support for Manankil floods social media, news accounts

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    CLARK FREEPORT – After taking a leave of absence following allegations of corruption published in a national daily, defense for beleaguered Clark Development Corp. (CDC) president-CEO Noel F. Manankil inundated social media.

    Manankil took a leave of absence to give way to an unimpeded investigation, Facebook (FB) and online versions of leading newspapers have been awash with post and comments that vouch for his honesty and integrity.

    Charge d’aff aires Elmer G. Cato of the Philippine Embassy in Iraq said in his personal FB account that he does not believe the accusations against Manankil.

    “I know CDC president Noel Manankil. He is a fellow Caballero (graduate of Chevalier School in Angeles City), La Sallian (De La Salle University) and Angeleno. I do not believe the allegations against him,” Cato said in his post. Both Cato and Manankil hail from Angeles City.

    He added that: “If someone wants his seat, all he has to do is ask and I am sure Noel would gladly give way. He never aspired for that position (CDC presidency) anyway.”

    Cato’s post elicited positive FB comments from various personalities that include Pampanga Press Club president Deng Pangilinan, broadcaster and ‘Indie’ actress Cecil Yumul, Kapampangan historian and businessman Marco Nepomuceno that attested to the impeccable character of Manankil.

    Rene Romero, vice chairman of the Pampanga Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Inc. (Pamcham) also reacted and refuted the derogatory allegations.

    He said from his FB page: “I read in the other news items that Pres. Manankil was mentioned as the person President Duterte was referring to in his speech, I am surprised and can’t believe it… It’s so sad to know that a good person like Pres. Noel whom I know for many years that he is honest and works hard for the development (of) Clark is now being charged of corruption. Pres. Noel Manankil is not corrupt!”

    Published news articles of interviews with prominent personalities also vouched for Manankil.

    Angeles City Mayor Edgardo Pamintuan said the report is premature since President Duterte has ordered an investigation regarding the accusations against Manankil. The mayor noted that Duterte did not mention the name of Manankil.

    “Premature ang story versus Noel, papa-investigate pa yun ng president,” Pamintuan said. The mayor said the people will know the truth in a few days. “There could also be a possibility that somebody is interested in Manankil’s position.”

    Reacting to the FB post of former CDC Manager Millete Caparas, Pamintuan also said, “Whoever will diff er from what Millete said on Noel does not know the fellow.”

    Caparas, now based in the US narrated in her FB post how Manankil exemplified honesty and integrity.

    “If the goal for the current President is to keep honest people in his team. I am saying this in outmost certainty that Noel is the right man for the job. Noel has no political agenda. Neither does he have a lifestyle that requires power and money. He is an ordinary guy who just wants to earn decently,” Caparas said in her FB account.

    Earlier, Clark Investors and Locators Association (CILA) chair Steven Virata and president Josh Go also defended Manankil.

    “We have great faith in Noel Manankil. We have worked with him and there has no incidence of impropriety,” Virata said.

    Go said “no one among them (referring to CILA members) has reported allegations of corruption against the CDC head.”

    The allegation was purely “black propaganda,” Go was quoted as saying.

    In a separate interview, Angeles City Councilor Jay Sangil, chairman of the Sangguniang Panglunsod Committee on Clark Freeport said he has kept track of the developments inside the Clark Freeport and can vouch for Manakil’s character.

    “Of all people, Mr. Manankil would figure in allegations of corruption? It’s definitely not in his character. Reports of his involvement in any wrongdoing are certainly false,” Sangil said.

    “I have known him from his rank and file days to being manager up till his appointment as vice president and as head of CDC. I know his background. I know his family,” the journalist turned politician added.

    Other Clark locators have also expressed their support to Manankil including the Network of Independent Travels and Allied Services Philippines Inc., Mac Talampas of Xenia Hotel in Clark Freeport and El Kabayo sheriff Gabriel Lao.

    And finally, the Association of Concerned CDC Employees also attested to Manankil’s integrity.

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