President Duterte met on Thursday in Malacañang 50 Bureau of Customs personnel allegedly involved in corruption activities and told them to hand in their resignation.
Presidential spokesman Salvador Panelo said Duterte told the Customs officials and employees during the meeting that there is no room for corruption under his administration.
The President reassured them that they will be given due process.
“The President has been forthright in telling these Customs officials and employees that corruption has no place under his watch. He told them that consistent with due process, they will be given their day in court,” Panelo said yesterday.
“Let this serve as a reminder to all those officials or employees in the government that they cannot escape liability or accountability for their acts of corruption under the Duterte administration,” he added.
Communications Secretary Martin Andanar said Duterte’s meeting with alleged erring Customs personnel is a message that the President is serious in cleaning up the government.
“This is a message to all government employees na seryoso talaga ang Pangulo na linisin ang burukrasya, linisin ito at tanggalan ang korapsyon dahil talagang hindi na kaya ng mga kababayan natin ang harapan na nakawan,” he said.
“Asahan ng mga kababayan natin ay magtuloy-tuloy at walang pipiliin ang Presidente, maging kaibigan ka man o hindi kaibigan. Talagang kung meron kang ginawang masama at nangulimbat ka ay meron kang kasong kakaharapin,” he added.
Duterte reiterated that charges will be filed against the alleged erring BoC personnel if they will not turn in their resignation. They are also free to question his decision.
“Administrative charges over allegations of corrupt practices in office will be filed against them before the Office of the Ombudsman, unless they opt to resign, and the prosecutors will ask for their immediate suspension,” Panelo said.
“PRRD assured them that he would not begrudge them if they would avail of legal remedies to question their removal from office,” he added.
“Pending the filing of cases, they shall be in floating status without authority to act on official matters.” (Argyll Geducos)
