Ex-FDA chief on corruption allegations: I am clueless as to what these are

“I leave FDA with a clear conscience and what I believe to be a clean record. It is completely unnecessary to sully the personal and professional reputations of people who sacrifice to render public service,” she added. (File Photo: Philippine National Police/Facebook)

The former chief of Food and Drugs Administration (FDA) on Friday, May 17, denied her supposed involvement in corruption, saying she is unaware of such accusation.

“I take exception to the mention of so-called ‘corruption allegations’ because I am clueless as to what these are. I have not been charged in any legal proceedings nor am I aware of any official investigations being undertaken in relation to corruption involving me,” FDA Director General Nela Charade Puno said in a statement.

“I leave FDA with a clear conscience and what I believe to be a clean record. It is completely unnecessary to sully the personal and professional reputations of people who sacrifice to render public service,” she added.

Puno said she is “completely unfamiliar” with “political manoeuvrings in the bureaucracy” since she was working in a private sector prior to her appointment as FDA chief in August 2016.

She then cited FDA’s accomplishments during her term such as obtaining three ISO (International Organization for Standardization) certifications and ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) recognition as the fifth ASEAN nation member country “whose regulatory standards were so accredited,” among others.

“I served as the Director General of the FDA for 2 years and 10 months with complete honesty, diligence, dedication, and loyalty,” she stressed.

Puno’s services were ordered “terminated” by President Rodrigo Duterte in a letter signed by Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea on Wednesday but was only announced by Malacañang on Thursday.

The Palace nor the letter did not further explain the exact reason why Puno was sacked, however, the document stated that her termination was “in line with the President’s continuing mandate to eradicate graft and corruption, and to ensure that public officials and employees conduct themselves in a manner worthy of public trust.”

In her statement, Puno said she received her letter of termination on Thursday afternoon, and that she accepted Duterte’s decision of firing her “without any ill-feelings.”

“I would like to thank the President for the opportunity and honour of having served the Food and Drug Administration as its Director General,” she said.

The Department of Health (DOH), FDA’s mother agency, announced on Thursday that it is Health Undersecretary Rolando Enrique Domingo who will take over as officer-in-charge “to ensure continuous and uninterrupted operations of the FDA” until a new chief is appointed.