Manila, Philippines – President Duterte has warned that government officials and employees who are fond of going on extended lunch breaks outside their office will be dismissed from the service.
Duterte reminded those in government that they are being paid by the people to work eight hours a day.
“Tama ba yun, bayad ka ng otso oras tapos nandiyan ka lang pasyal-pasyal,” according to the President, even as he said that it is a different case for those in the barangays because they are out for field work.
So, for those in government offices, they have to work.
“Bayad tayo. So ‘pag inindian mo ang tao, eh wala ka sa opisina mo kagaya dito ng national, local, pareho rin – after lunch break, na nasa mga mall, papasyal-pasyal, ‘pag nangyari ‘yan ulit, I will dismiss ka,” Duterte said.
According to the President, those who have the habit of doing this are technically committing estafa when they are not in their offices to serve the people.
“You’re committing estafa. It’s not clearly defined but the act is actually swindling. It’s under Article 8 of the Revised Penal Code,” he said.
The President said that he will ask the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. to ban all government employees and their families from entering casinos.
“I would like to ask Pagcor to prohibit lahat ng taga-gobyerno, pati yung mga asawa, pamilya, to deny them entrance sa mga casinos,” he said.
“I do not want people lalo na sa gobyerno, papasok-pasok diyan. O nasa gobyerno ka, yan lang ang kikitain mo, bakit ka magsugal doon?” he added. (Elena L. Aben)