Malacañang on Saturday said it will not ask Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (Tesda) Director General Joel Villanueva to take a leave of absence following the filing of graft complaints against him in connection to the multibillion-peso pork barrel scam.

 

"Sa ilalim ng umiiral na batas, hindi minamandato na lumiban o mag-file ng leave ang mga halal o hinirang na opisyal na kasama sa isang inihaing impormasyon sa Office of the Ombudsman. Ipauubaya natin ang pagpapasya sa mga kinauukulang opisyal," Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma said in an interview on state-run DZRB radio.

 

Coloma, meanwhile, said that he believes Villanueva's work will not be affected by the graft charges.

 

"Kilala po natin si Secretary Joel Villanueva bilang isang conscientious public servant, at sa lahat po ng pagkakataon ay nakita naman natin ‘yung kanyang pagsisikap na maipatupad ‘yung maraming programa na ikabubuti ng kalagayan ng ating mga mamamayan sa pamamagitan ng pagkakaroon ng kinakailangang technical o vocational skills."

 

He added: "Kaya makatitiyak po tayo na gagawa siya ng nararapat na desisyon at ang desisyong ‘yan ay nakabatay sa interes ng publiko at hindi po mapapabayaan ‘yung gawain ng kanyang tanggapan."

 

The National Bureau of Investigation on Friday filed graft complaints against Villanueva, along with Senator Gregorio "Gringo" Honasan III, Cagayan De Oro Rep. Rufus Rodriguez, Manila Rep. Amado Bagatsing, La Union Rep. Victor Ortega and Abono party-list Rep. Conrado Estrella III.

 

The NBI said the respondents were guilty of allocating their Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) or pork barrel to fake foundations linked to businesswoman Janet Lim-Napoles, the alleged brains behind the scam.