Palace defends Pangandaman appointment

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has the prerogative to appoint officials he believes can perform the job effectively, Malacañang said on Monday in defending the appointment of former Budget Secretary Amenah Pangandaman as chairperson and CEO of the Al-Amanah Islamic Investment Bank of the Philippines.

Presidential Communications Office Undersecretary Claire Castro said there was nothing improper about Pangandaman’s appointment.

“There is nothing wrong with the President appointing someone he believes can perform the job well,” Castro said in a Palace press briefing.

Castro stressed that Pangandaman was not exempted from any investigation despite her appointment, including the probe into the alleged anomalous insertions in the 2025 General Appropriations Act (GAA).

“The administration has been transparent and open to investigations, whether they involve allies or non-allies, relatives or non-relatives. The President has allowed investigations not only into the previous administration but also into members of his own Cabinet and anyone under the Executive,” she said.

“The investigation remains open. If anyone is found to have any involvement, the investigation will simply continue,” she added.

Castro said Pangandaman’s new position would not shield her from any investigation into alleged anomalies involving flood control projects.

“The issue of alleged anomalies in flood control projects is separate. If investigators find evidence against former secretary Pangandaman, the President remains open to any form of investigation,” she said.

Asked whether Pangandaman’s appointment sends the wrong signal to the public, Castro said the former budget chief is not facing any criminal case.

“As of now, we are not aware of any case pending against her. If anyone has evidence and believes there are grounds to file charges, they are free to do so. It is not the President who conducts the investigation. That responsibility has been entrusted to the Independent Commission for Infrastructure, as well as the Office of the Ombudsman and the Department of Justice. These investigating bodies are free to investigate anyone who may be involved,” Castro said.