Controversial Interior and Local Government Undersecretary Rico Puno has formally resigned, amid reports of his supposed attempt to enter the late Interior Secretary Jesse Robredo's condominium.
At the same time, Puno explained the chronology of events of the day of his supposed entry attempt, which was just hours after Robredo's plane reportedly crashed off Masbate.
"As Undersecretary for Peace and Order in the DILG, I am entrusted with duties and responsibilities that involve strict confidence, security and protocol," Puno said in his statement.
"Violating the confidential nature of my duties may expose people to danger or jeopardize critical operations. Hence, I am duty-bound to act with restraint and circumspection, even when subjected to personal attacks in the mass media," Puno, who spoke on the issue for the first time said.
"This is why I have opted not to react to the speculative accusations that have been hurled against me by some media organizations," Puno added.
Reports claim Robredo ordered a probe on Puno's multi-million transaction on guns for the Philippine National Police two weeks before the crash. The CAAP however dismissed foul play in Robredo's crash.
In another statement, Puno boasted of DILG improvements under his watch.
"We have introduced reforms to ensure full transparency of procurement and bidding processes. We have streamlined these processes to achieve the President’s objective of getting “the biggest bang for the buck” in providing basic equipment for enabling our uniformed personnel to perform their tasks effectively," said Puno in a statement posted in the President's fanpage.
"I believe that I have carried out my assigned duties to the best of my ability," Puno added. Malacanang, thru presidential spokesman Edwin Lacierda, announced Aquino also accepted Puno's resignation "immediately."
Yahoo! Southeast Asia is posting in full Puno's chronology of events, on the day of the supposed break-in attempt. (Posted verbatim from Puno's statement)
