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Clark prexy takes leave amid Duterte's allegations, threat

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The chief of Clark Development Corp. (CDC) has taken a leave of absence to give way to an investigation amid President Rodrigo Duterte's allusions to bribery and a thinly veiled threat to sack an unnamed government official.

In a statement posted on the CDC Communications Division's Facebook page late Thursday, CDC President and CEO Noel Manankil "categorically and very strongly" denied any involvement in "alleged anomaly of demanding bribes from Clark locators."

Duterte on Thursday admitted that he was not sure if Manankil is guilty of any anomaly, but that he has received reports of alleged corruption involving the CDC official.

“I’m not saying that I am sure that he is guilty. What I’m saying is that I’ve been receiving reports of corruption and I said, 'Please do not do that because', ang sabi ko naman, 'ganito tayo'. But I have always insisted on honesty and integrity in government,” the President said.

Duterte made the statement when asked to confirm that the CDC chief was the government official he wanted axed because of allegations of corruption.

Manankil decided to go out in the open. "Because I am aware, and that I adhere to the position of the President against corruption – even just hints of it – I fully submit myself to an impartial investigation on the allegations," he said.

"In the meantime, I voluntarily taking a leave of absence effective today to allow the investigations to proceed unimpeded," he said.

Manankil emphasized that he has served in low key positions at the CDC for 21 years. "The latest as vice president for administration and finance. During those decades of service, I have never been involved in anything illegal in Clark," he said.

"I leave my fate to God, ever confident that truth and justice will prevail," he added. — VDS, GMA News

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