Palace stands by removal of 2 NBI execs

MANILA, Philippines - Malacañang is standing by the removal of National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) deputy directors Reynaldo Esmeralda and Ruel Lasala.

Esmeralda and Lasala, who said they would question the decision before the Supreme Court, also protested the appointment of four new deputy directors –Ricardo Pangan Jr., Edward Villarta, Antonio Pagatpat and Jose Doloiras – which they said effectively dismissed them from their posts.

Deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte said over radio dzRB yesterday the positions given to the new appointees were vacant, contrary to the claim of the two.

“As I understand...the President considered the totality of issues. And at this point in time, the President felt that replacing them will be for the benefit of the institution,” she said without answering whether the questions on integrity led to their dismissal.

The two deputy directors were linked to suspected pork barrel scam mastermind Janet Lim-Napoles.