Puno family tree in gov’t, according to Miriam

MANILA, Philippines – Resigned Interior and Local Government Undersecretary and presidential friend Rico E Puno has at least 4 relatives in government, including his own daughter.

Reading from notes emailed to her, Sen Miriam Defensor-Santiago asked Puno at a Senate hearing on Friday, September 14, about his relatives in government, in particular his daughter Romina “Inna” Puno, who is with the Bureau of Immigration, and Marco Puno Santiago, a nephew who is assistant secretary at the Presidential Legislative Liaison Office in Malacañang.

Puno confirmed Santiago’s information.

Puno’s cousin, Adolfo Escalona, also sits as executive director of the Road Board under the Department of Transportation and Communications. The Road Board manages all fees collected from road users. (Puno’s mother is an Escalona.)

Puno’s niece, Ma Angela Escalona Ignacio, is also a commissioner at the Governance Commission for GOCCs.

One of his brothers, Patrick Puno, was also appointed vice president of the Philippine Amusement and Games Corp in 2010 but has quit.

Santiago quipped at the Senate hearing, “Ang rami nang Puno ha. Kailangan na nga siguro ng RH bill.” (There are too many Punos. We really need the RH bill.)

The senator was referring to the controversial Reproductive Health bill which she has been pushing for but which is suffering delay in both chambers of Congress.

Santiago called for a Senate probe on Puno Friday. – Rappler.com