Benigno Aquino refuses resignation of aide over fund scandal

Philippine President Benigno Aquino yesterday rejected a resignation offer from his budget secretary after the top court declared the government's discretionary fund illegal in the biggest test yet for its battle against graft.

Aquino came to power in 2010 on the promise of transparency, good governance and battling corruption to lift the Philippines from poverty.

But he has struggled to shed the country's image as one of the most corrupt in Asia as he continues to defend his allies while chasing down politicians, bureaucrats and generals associated with the former administration.

On Thursday, Florencio "Butch" Abad handed his resignation letter to Aquino to save the government from growing criticism over the use of 150 billion pesos (HK$27 billion) in discretionary funds from 2011 to 2013.

"I have decided not to accept his resignation," Aquino told a cabinet meeting during the annual budget presentation. "To accept his resignation is to assign to him a wrong, and I cannot accept the notion that doing right by our people is a wrong."

Aquino has yet to comment on the court's decision, but his spokesmen defended him, saying the president had done nothing wrong and everything was done in good faith. His popularity rating is expected to plunge over the issue.