President Duterte has vowed to be “unforgiving” to government officials engaged in corrupt practices amid his purging of bad eggs from the bureaucracy.
The President admitted that his anti-corruption drive was the least initiative he could do to make his parents proud before he dies.
“Ito lang talaga tandaan ninyo, huwag kayong pumasok sa corruption. Huwag talaga kayong pumasok sa corru – unforgiving ako diyan,” Duterte said during the recent launching of a bridge project in Davao City.
“Unforgiving ako because wala naman siguro akong nagawang mabuti sa buhay na ito, puro kalokohan. At least once bago ako mamatay, may ginawa akong – para naman ‘yung tatay pati nanay ko mag-smile,” he said.
Duterte also warned government officials against seeking assistance from any member of his family to facilitate certain government transactions.
He said he would not hesitate to fire these officials contacting his relatives. “Lumayo talaga kayo because sabi ko ‘pag nalaman ko, tapos. Alis ka talaga,” he said.
The President had earlier said he might dismiss another official for alleged corruption as he continued his housecleaning efforts.
Duterte said he was sad that most government officials he let go were his appointees and long-time friends.
The most recent government official Duterte sacked was Transportation Assistant Secretary Mark Tolentino for talking to his sister about the Mindanao railway project. “Even the discussion of that Mindanao railway, it’s still in the blueprint,” Duterte said. (Genalyn D. Kabiling)
