Palace: No ‘inequality’ in Sueno, Montano cases

MANILA, Philippines — Malacañang on Tuesday defended President Rodrigo Duterte firing Ismael Sueno as Interior secretary while keeping Cesar Montano at a government-owned firm despite corruption allegations.

Asked whether there was inequality in dismissing Sueno over informal corruption allegations but allowing Montano to stay on as COO of the Tourism Promotions Board, Presidential spokesperson Ernesto Abella said there is none.

“Not necessarily, if the president made his due diligence in this particular issue, so it's something he can act on with decisiveness,” Abella said in a televised press briefing.

Abella said that Sueno's dismissal is of “deep import” for the president because it concerns a Cabinet member.

“So it's not a question of inequality, it's just something that he has given due diligence to,” Abella maintained.

Sueno and Montano both face corruption and abuse of power allegations.

In Sueno’s case, Department of the Interior and Local Government undersecretaries—John Castriciones (operations), Jesus Hinlo (public safety) and Emilie Padilla (legislative liaison and special concerns)— wrote a four-page letter questioning a fire truck deal with the Austrian government as well as supposed unexplained wealth.

Sueno debunked the allegations in his own letter to the president but was fired due to “loss of trust and confidence.”

On the other hand, employees of the TPB cited 24 irregularities of Montano in a complaint received by the Presidential Action Center last March. Duterte supported Montano saying he appointed the latter because he trusts him.

Unlike Sueno who offered to be investigated, Montano was cleared and Duterte even charged employees to file a complaint against the TPB chief.