Dapat may backer! Lacierda disputes Lao: Application ain’t enough to become DBM USec

Former Department of Budget and Management (DBM) Undersecretary Lloyd Christopher Lao was “obviously” covering up for someone when he claimed at a Senate hearing that he simply applied to his position, Aquino-era presidential spokesperson Edwin Lacierda said.

In a tweet posted Sunday (August 29), Lacierda recalled the process of appointing a Deputy Presidential Spokesperson during the late former President Benigno Aquino III’s time.

“When I was looking for a Deputy Presidential Spokesperson, I spoke to 3 candidates who expressed their willingness. I recommended them to PNoy & he made the decision,” Lacierda said.

The former presidential spokesperson said the appointment of an undersecretary doesn’t happen by surprise.

“Hindi yan ‘Surprise! Usec ka na.’ He obviously refused to reveal his backer,” Lacierda said of Lao.

His tweet accompanied a video of Senator Francis Pangilinan grilling Lao during the August 27 Senate blue ribbon committee’s hearing on how he was appointed to the DBM.

Lao was evasive in his answers, insisting that his application was coursed through the Presidential Management Staff (PMS).

The former DBM executive has come under scrutiny because of nearly P8.7-billion worth of contracts that his office, the DBM Procurement Service, awarded to the little known Pharmally Pharmaceutical Corp. starting in 2020.

Lao resigned in June 2021.

Tama si Sen @kikopangilinan. When I was looking for a Deputy Presidential Spokesperson, I spoke to 3 candidates who expressed their willingness. I recommended them to PNoy & he made the decision.

Hindi yan “Surprise! Usec ka na.” He obviously refused to reveal his backer. https://t.co/edZlJvdNjs

— Edwin Lacierda (@dawende) August 29, 2021

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Source: Latest Politics News Today (Politics.com.ph)