Duterte appoints new envoys to US, Australia; 3 to China

President Duterte has appointed six new special Philippine envoys, including three assigned to China, to promote the country’s foreign relations.

Appointed are Jose Antonio, special envoy of the President to the United States; Miguel Ayala, special envoy of the President to Australia; Carlos Chan, William Lima and Wallie Lee, special envoys of the President to China; and Almarim Tillah, special envoy of the President to the Orga-

nization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC).

The six presidential envoys were among the dozens of newly appointed officials and Philippine Councils League officers who took their oath before the President in Malacañang.

The President, in his speech, called on the newly appointed government officials to shun corruption and help him fight graft practices in the bureaucracy.

Duterte affirmed that he has “zero tolerance” for corruption, adding he would not hesitate to dismiss officials implicated in irregularities. He said he has so far quietly asked 92 officials most from regulatory agencies to leave the service for corruption allegations.

“If you really want to help improve this country and if you want us to rise a little bit of the ‘yung ano natin sa nakaraan, now is the time,” he said. “Now is the time because I am really with you. Sa graft and corruption, I have a zero tolerance,” he adds. Miriam’s husband Among those sworn into office were Narciso Santiago Jr., Presidential adviser for revenue enhancement; Ricardo Visaya, administrator and of National Irrigation Administration; Francisco Duque III, chairman of Government Service Insurance System (GSIS); Marcial Amaro III, administrator of Maritime Industry Authority (Marina).

Also taking their oath were Ricardo de Leon, president, Philippine Public Safety College; Ma. Rachel Arenas, chair of the Movie and Television Review and Classification Board; Rogelio Luy, Chairman and Member of Board of Trustees of Local Water Utilities Administration; and Danilo Concepcion, president of the University of the Philippines.