Pimentel: Sueno termination not a charge of corruption

MANILA, Philippines — The public should not jump to the conclusion that former Interior Secretary Ismael "Mike" Sueno was terminated due to corruption, Senate President Aquilino "Koko" Pimentel III said Wednesday.

On Tuesday, Presidential spokesperson Ernesto confirmed that Sueno has been dismissed by President Rodrigo Duterte due to "loss of trust and confidence."

"The ground used by the president in terminating Mike Sueno is loss of trust and confidence. That is not necessarily a charge of corruption," Pimentel said in a statement.

Pimentel said that it would be better to wait for an official statement from Duterte regarding the issue.

"That's a very subjective ground within the power of the president and that could be triggered by almost anything," Pimentel said.

The Senate leader, however, said that Duterte is under no obligation to explain his decision to dismiss Sueno.

Sueno said that he wholeheartedly accepts the president's decision and stressed that he is not corrupt.

“My conscience is clear. Inuulit ko po, wala akong ginawa o ginagawang anomalya,” Sueno said in a statement.

Three Department of the Interior and Local Government undersecretaries—John Castriciones (operations), Jesus Hinlo (public safety) and Emilie Padilla (legislative liaison and special concerns)—have accused Sueno of corruption.

Sueno denied the allegations and dared the undersecretaries to investigate him and his alleged anomalies.