DAVAO CITY (May 17) — President Rodrigo Duterte on Wednesday fired Food and Drug Authority (FDA) Director-General Nela Charade-Puno due to corruption allegations.
In a letter to Puno signed by Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea dated May 15, he said the reason for her termination is “in line with the President’s continuing mandate to eradicate graft and corruption.”
“Please be advised that upon instructions of the President, your appointment as Director General of the Food and Drugs Authority, Department of Health, is hereby terminated, effective immediately,” the letter read.
“This is 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,” it added.
Medialdea instructed Puno to immediately turn over all official documents and properties in her possession to the Office of the Undersecretary for Health Regulation, Department of Health.
Puno has yet to issue a statement on her termination.
She was appointed by Duterte in August 2016, her first act was a crackdown on fake cosmetics.
She also padlocked the establishment of Dr. Farrah Agustin-Bunch, for selling a “natural cancer treatment.”
Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo in yesterday’s press briefing said the order was in line with the the President’s anti-corruption campaign.
Health Undersecretary Rolando Enrique Domingo will be appointed FDA officer-in-charge, the Department of Health (DOH) said in a statement Thursday.
“The DOH supports President Duterte’s commitment to eradicate graft and corruption in all government agencies,” the department said.-NewsLine.ph
