Palace tells sacked PDEA exec to bring allegations to proper forum

A Malacañang official on Tuesday urged Carlos Gadapan, the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) official who claimed to have been wrongfully ousted from his post, to bring his allegations to the proper forum.   “Those are serious allegations and I don’t know if he is just saying that in an interview or if he [took steps] before this entire matter happened,” said deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte at a briefing.   "So, remember, he’s just been relieved and whatever serious allegations that have been leveled should be made in the proper forum,” she added.   Gadapan, who was PDEA deputy director general before he was ousted, faced the media early Tuesday and said he was removed from office because of his actions informing his boss, PDEA chief Jose Gutierrez, about his (Gutierrez’s) wife’s gambling problems.   Of this Valte said: “Perhaps he should communicate with his superiors or at least with the Executive Secretary (Paquito Ochoa Jr.) if he has any sentiments about that.”   Valte also assured Gadapan that he will not be ignored should he air his concerns to the proper channel.   “If he chooses to make those serious allegations in the proper forum, then he will be listened to,” she said.
 “There are other fora that he can go to not just his direct superior.”   Gadapan was sacked Monday reportedly due to “loss of confidence,” but both Valte and presidential spokesperson Edwin Lacierda, who announced Gadapan's removal from office, did not elaborate on what caused the supposed loss of confidence.   “In my conversation with the Executive Secretary the other day, loss of confidence is the only reason that was mentioned to us,” Valte said.   Defending Malacañang decision, Valte reiterated that all presidential appointees are “replaceable.” — Patricia Denise Chiu/KBK, GMA News