MANILA, Philippines–President Rodrigo Duterte “is keeping” Budget Secretary Benjamin Diokno, Malacañang said Tuesday after allegations of budget insertions and questionable allocations were thrown against the Cabinet official. Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo said the allegations against Diokno over alleged insertions and questionable allocations were “totally baseless.”ADVERTISEMENT“Certainly, the President is keeping him. The reputation of Secretary Diokno is solid,” Panelo said in an interview over ABS-CBN News Channel. He said the corruption charges against Diokno are “baseless.”The House earlier adopted a resolution House Resolution No. Lawmakers have slammed Diokno for the alleged P75-billion insertions in the 2019 national budget and some questionable allocations on flood control projects.

Source: Philippine Daily Inquirer December 18, 2018 03:00 UTC