President Duterte is taking his anti-corruption campaign to a whole new level.
Duterte revealed that he will fire all officials and employees of a commission due to corruption allegations during the 84th anniversary celebration of the Department of Labor and Employment in Malolos City, Bulacan.
The President did not identify the commission but said he does not care how many officials were involved.
“On Monday, I will fire about one commission. Lahat sila,” Duterte said. “Wala akong pakialam kung nakisali lahat o dalawa, tatlo, you have to go out,” he added.
“Because I do not think that it will exist without your knowledge at bakit hanggang ngayon,” he said.
Duterte gave a hint on the irregularities in the commission and said that the officials directly involved should know that he is referring to them.
He gave them until today to tender their resignations to save face.
“Now, if you are somebody who has been in and out of the country six times since you were appointed in September using public money, umalis ka na,” he said.
“May Linggo. There’s still a time, enough for you to ponder and tender your resignation,” Duterte said.
“Who told you you can go abroad anytime six times using funds of the government? ‘Di ba sinabi ko sa kanila, ‘wag kayong mag-travel ‘pag hindi ko alam. That’s junket and you’re wasting money,” he said.
Duterte said he emphasized his resolve to end corruption in government when he fired Budget Undersecretary Gertrudo de Leon for alleged corruption.
“Wala akong patawad-tawad. The last that I fired, ‘yung undersecretary ng Budget sa ‘yun sa Malacañang,” he said.
“Gusto kong sipain sa mukha eh, sa totoo lang. Nahiya lang ako kasi nandiyan si Medialdea, kaibigan niya. I fired him,” he added.
Duterte said he has fired many of his appointees due to corruption issues. Earlier this year, he revealed that he fired almost 100 of his appointees in a single week due to corruption allegations.
Among the officials Duterte sacked due to corruption allegations was former Interior and Local Government Secretary Ismael Sueno who was reportedly involved in the procurement of overpriced firetrucks from Austria. (Argyll Cyrus B. Geducos)