A top adviser to Philippine President Benigno Aquino III is facing a corruption investigation, a government agency said on Wednesday, a potential blow for the president who has built a reputation as a graft fighter.
The Anti-Graft Agency Ombudsman said the Adviser, budget secretary Florencio “Butch” Abad, and his deputy, Mario Relampagos, were facing preliminary investigation for technical malverzation and administrative charges.”
Abad, said he and Relampagos “acted in good faith and with regularity in the performance of their official duties” and their action helped accelerate public spending and boosted the economy.
Last year, the Supreme Court declared parts of Aquino’s disbursement program unconstitutional, particularly the transfer of funds amounting to more that 280 million pesos ($5.99 million) from the executive department to other government branches.
The Ombudsman said some projects, like the construction of Legislative Library, were not among those approved by the president.
President Aquino will step down next year at the end of a single five-year term, as allowed under the constitution.
A May presidential election will be closely watched by investors, who fear the political succession in one of Asia’s fastest growing economies could gains made during his rule. (A featured news from Reuters)