By: Argyll Cyrus B. Geducos
President Duterte revealed Thursday that he has fired two Malacañang employees for alleged corrupt practices.
Duterte, in a speech at the Agrilink/Foodlink/Aqualink 2017 Festival at the World Trade Center Metro Manila, did not identify the two employees but reiterated his campaign promise to stop corruption in government.
“I promised you corruption. I will stop it. I will stop it. I just fired two employees from Malacañang for making a tool and suggesting that, you know, they were suggesting,” Duterte said before he departed for Brunei.
Duterte reiterated this in an interview posted over the Facebook page of Presidential Communications Operations Office Assistant Secretary Margaux Uson upon his arrival in Brunei for the 50th Jubilee celebration of Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah’s accession to the throne.
“I even fired people today. I signed a document firing two people from Malacañang for using their influence,” Duterte said in the interview.
“Empleyado diyan tapos kung anu-anong pinagsasabi sa labas, na malakas sila. I hate that,” he said.
Malacañang was pressed to identify the two employees. However, presidential spokesperson Ernesto Abella said the Office of the Executive Secretary said they cannot name them yet.
“As per OES, it is premature to release any names any names until concerned parties are properly informed,” Abella said in a text message.
Duterte stressed how he fired Cabinet officials over alleged corrupt practices and even some unnamed government officials but chose not to make them public.
“I have fired so many, hindi ko lang ina-announce po kasi, in fairness to the family, ang iba kasi tapos na ang mga anak nila, mga doktor na, mga abogado, mapahiya,” he said.
“Sabi ko sige, mag-resign ka na lang. Ayoko na ‘yung publicity. I don’t allow it anymore. Out of respeto sa mga anak na hindi naman sila kasali diyan.”
