(Eagle News)—Sacked Food and Drug Administration director-general Nela Charade Puno on Friday, May 17, said she was “clueless” as to what the corruption allegations against her were.
In a statement, Puno said she has “not been charged in any legal proceedings” nor has she been made “aware of any official investigations being undertaken in relation to corruption” involving her.
In any case, she said she was “more than ready to face” any corruption allegations in any forum.
“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 said.
She said during her tenure, the FDA gained “three ISO certifications, and ASEAN recognition as the fifth ASEAN nation member country whose regulatory standards were so accredited.”
She said she also implemented the “decentralization and regionalization of the FDA, the digitization of its registration process, the support to MSMEs in a joint effort with the Department of Trade and Industry, and strict regulatory enforcement of FDA lawa in cooperation with the Philippine National Police.”
“I served as the Director General of FDA for two years and 10 months with complete honesty, diligence, dedication, and loyalty,” she said.
Nevertheless, Puno thanked President Rodrigo Duterte for “the opportunity and honor” to serve the FDA.
“As a presidential appointee, I serve at the pleasure of the President and therefore I accept his decision without ill-feelings,” Puno said.
