Opposition Senator Bam Aquino has slammed the Duterte administration for “recycling officials” reportedly involved in anomalous and corrupt practices.

“The President is sending mixed messages again, this time on the issue of corruption,” Aquino said in a statement on Monday.

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The senator also criticized the government’s double-standard in appointing individuals to certain positions.

“May malinaw na double standard sa patuloy na pag-recycle sa mga opisyal na nasasangkot sa anomalya gaya nina Nicanor Faeldon, Jason Aquino at iba pa (There is a clear double standard in the continued recycling of officials involved in anomalies like Nicanor Faeldon, Jason Aquino and others),” Aquino said.

Former Customs Commissioner Faeldon, who was investigated for alleged involvement in the smuggling of P6.4 billion worth of shabu (crystal meth), was appointed by President Duterte to the Office of Civil Defense.

National Food Authority’s (NFA) Jason Aquino was also allegedly involved in corruption activities at the agency before he was appointed as administrator.

READ: Faeldon gets new post at Office of Civil Defense

READ: Bam Aquino: With Evasco out as NFA Council chair, corrupt deals to continue

Former Social Security System (SSS) Commissioner Pompee La Viña, another Duterte appointee involved in alleged profiteering, was recently assigned to the Department of Tourism as undersecretary.

READ: SSS execs probed for profiteering

The Department of Justice (DOJ) has cleared Faeldon of any wrongdoing, but allegations against Aquino and La Viña have yet to be proven.

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Aquino also called on the government to avoid the re-hiring of officials involved in corruption scandals, in accordance with the President’s promise to fire people with a “whiff of corruption.”

“Kung seryoso tayo sa pagpapatupad ng mga hangarin laban sa korapsyon, hindi na ibabalik ang mga opisyal na nasangkot sa korupsyon at kakasuhan ang mga ito (If we are serious in implementing anti-corruption measures, we are not going to re-hire officials involved in corruption scandals and file charges against them instead),” he said. /ee

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