GENERAL SANTOS CITY – President-elect Rodrigo Duterte vowed to stamp out corruption in government bureaucracy which will be one of his priority agenda when he assumes the presidency on June 30.
Duterte graced on Wednesday the oathtaking ceremonies of Senator-elect Manny Pacquiao and the newly-elected local officials of General Santos City and Sarangani Province held at the provincial capitol in Alabel, Sarangani.
He urged the newly-elected officials to help him in the campaign against criminality and corruption.
“Let us give the Filipino a respite from corruption,” Duterte said.
Again, he took a swipe on Bureau of Customs (BoC) and Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR), which he regarded as the among the corrupt government agencies.
Duterte said that for the longest time, high officials of BIR and BoC have been enjoying a luxurious life.
“Now that I am the President, this extravagance among BIR and Customs officials must be stopped,” Duterte said.
He said that BIR and BoC officials should change their lifestyle and live like ordinary government workers.
He said many that BIR and BoC officials make money out of corruption activities at their offices while they consider their salary as mere allowances.
“I don’t want to hear any corruption from government agencies,” Duterte said.
He said that he would not hesitate to dismiss government officials and employees who are found involved in corruption.
He challenged the newly-elected local officials to sincerely help and serve their constituents.
“Now that I will be assuming the presidency, it is the right time to really help and serve our people,” Duterte said.
(JOSEPH JUBELAG)