Malacañang remained tight-lipped Wednesday about the dismissal of Defense Undersecretary for Internal Affairs Ariston delos Reyes, saying it has no obligation to explain the matter.

Presidential Spokesman Ricardo Saludo said the Palace has no policy to explain every appointment and dismissal in the bureaucracy to the public or else be trapped “in an endless game.”

“There are many people replaced, appointed, or removed in government and we don’t make it a policy to comment at each one. Can you imagine how many people officials we shall have to explain everyday when they are moved, removed or appointed? I’m not going to start now explaining something,” Saludo said in a news conference in the Palace.

“If I explain that, will you also explain to me why I was removed? We can’t do anything if keep on explaining,” said Saludo, the former chairman of the Civil Service Commission. Saludo was replaced by Health Secretary Francisco Duque III at the helms of the CSC after he failed to get the nod of the bicameral Commission on Appointments (CA).

Delos Reyes was in the middle of an investigation against some defense officials involved in alleged anomalous procurement of military equipment when he got the pink slip from Malacañang.

Delos Reyes, former Navy vice admiral, has admitted the reason for his sudden relief was unclear. He also could not say if his termination was related to the investigations he has started against erring officials in the DND.