MANILA, Philippines — Malacañang Monday defended the Budget department from allegations that the government owes several private contractors billions because of corruption. He claimed officials were given the discretion to choose who among the contractors would receive payments, forcing contractors to resort to bribery. Presidential spokesman Salvador Panelo said he could not understand the connection between unsettled obligations and corruption. "Why would the government owe contractors because of corruption? There is corruption if contractors resort to bribes to get something.

Source: Philippine Star February 18, 2019 09:22 UTC