President Rodrigo Duterte on Tuesday defended Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) General Manager Alexander Balutan over allegations by Director Sandra Cam he spent a huge amount for the agency’s Christmas party.

Speaking at the League of Municipalities of the Philippines general assembly, Mr. Duterte first teased Cam, who was in the audience, asking her if she could take on Balutan, a retired military officer.

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Telling Cam not to be offended, Mr. Duterte then explained why he never interfered in the squabble between PCSO officials and why he had no problem with the agency spending millions for its Christmas party.

He said that when he was still a prosecutor, he tended to dismiss cases filed against people nabbed for stealing food or clothing. Balutan spent the funds to feed PCSO employees, he added.

“In Balutan’s case … he spent about 4 million for everyone. If it was really a Christmas party, the people were fed. Okay,” he said.

Cam earlier complained that the PCSO spent too much for the party. —Leila B. Salaverria

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