Are self-criticisms classified?

Yet another potential presidential scandal is brewing as news came today that the Ministry of Audit has sent NT$36 million (approx. US$1.1 million) worth of unsupported expense claims by the Presidential Office to the High Prosecutors Office for formal investigation. Accusations are flying again and fingers are pointing (again) at First Lady 吳淑珍 Wu Shu-chen, who is accused of collecting receipts for phony claims. Even the 33% of the receipts in the request for reimbursement are potentially embarrassing, as many a luxury item is included. Sogo vouchers and KMT Legislator 邱毅 Chiu Yi, who has apparently been at least partially proven right by the receipts, have come back to haunt the First Lady, whose magnanimity is being repaid in spades.

The Presidential Office has been stonewalling the MOA’s auditing efforts by claiming the spending was ‘classified.’ Apparently Chen wants to self-criticize without anyone around to keep him honest - or has Chen’s ego-mania convinced him that his fading image of integrity is a national security matter?

Particularly troubling was the Presidential Office's response, which stressed “ the Presidential Office has been simply following the same past practices of former presidents since 1951.” Well then, so much for reform from the Democratic Progressive Party - and remember that the KMT started the corruption, so it’s still all their fault. Sigh.

[Taiwan] [ROC] [Taiwan Corruption] [Chen Shui-bian]