We also asked Shal about the ministry's dealings with a certain hardware store. While Requena stated that they do regular business with Benny's, Shal took a defensive stance, stating that he hopes the company sues the media. That then started a small back and forth with him and XTV reporter Marisol Amaya. Here's how that went.
Valentino Shal, CEO, Ministry of Rural Transformation
"You see, you have to be very careful here because you're calling the name of a very reputable business. And I hope they take you to court for doing that, because you are making an assertion about some impropriety on their part. Correct. And I'm not sure why you would do that."
Reporter:
"You're the only one who's gone the legal route and as a media person, you should know that we have the right when there is something in the public domain for us to do our job. That's what I'm doing. Other people we have interviewed have responded to that question, and they have not chosen to go the legal route, as you did know."
Valentino Shal, CEO, Ministry of Rural Transformation
"So you're asking about a very reputable company..."
Reporter:
"If you do your due diligence and check because people are human and there can be corruption, there can be things that you may not know are happening."
Valentino Shal, CEO, Ministry of Rural Transformation
"Absolutely. There might be, there may be, but I'm not aware of any such thing."
Reporter:
"I asked if anyone called."
Valentino Shal, CEO, Ministry of Rural Transformation
"If there are, if somebody brings credible information to us, we are obligated to look into it. But nobody has brought any credible information to us about any such thing."
We note that we have seen no proof implicating Benny's in any commission scheme and there is no credible suggestion of wrongdoing on that company's part.
