Duterte warns: PH to become Asia’s laggard if corruption is not stopped

The Philippines might not become as progressive as Malaysia and Indonesia if authorities could not stop corruption and keep law and order in the country, President Duterte declared Thursday.

The President, exasperated with the endemic corruption in government, said it would take more than a decade for the country to catch up with these developed neighbors.

"Many years from now or a few years from now, or maybe a year after, if we cannot stop graft and corruption and

up, maybe more than. 'Yan ang problema sa Pilipino [That's the problem with Filipinos]," he said.

The President admitted that he was having difficulty in fighting corruption in government, which prompted him to consider resigning. He lamented that corruption has become part of the transactions in national and local government.

"Hindi ko mahabol ang corruption kay kada transaction sa gobyerno, be it in the local governments, sa national, and even sa Office of the President, na agyud ka buang," he said.

Duterte said he was "so pissed off" when he learned about the alleged anomalous transactions in a military hospital as well as the irregular long-term lease deal involving Nayong Pilipino Foundation and a casino developer.

He said he could not understand how some military officers had the audacity "to order medicines that are not delivered but are paid for."

On the controversial Nayong Pilipino project, Duterte said the original proposal contained a lease of a government property for 75 years, which he strongly opposed.

"Of course they are denying but the first draft, 'yung sa Nayong Pilipino was really for 75 years. Of course they are denying because it was not approved. It was not approved because I blew my top," he said.

Faced with the lingering problem of corruption, Duterte said he has offered to quit his post and be replaced by a competent successor.

"Kung ganito na lang, I am offering to step down not because I am afraid of you. Far from it actually. Mayroon akong task, I am a government worker chosen by the people to administer the affairs of the country," he said.

The President recently ordered the relief of Brig. Gen. Edwin Leo Torrelavega, head of the AFP-HSC, Col. Antonio Punzalan, commander of the V. Luna Medical Center, and 18 others for alleged anomalous transactions. He also authorized court martial proceedings against the concerned officers for the alleged "ghost deliveries" in the military hospital.

Duterte also fired the entire NPF board for approving a "grossly disadvantageous" lease deal with the Hong Kongbased company Landing. The dismissal of the NPF officials was announced the same day the company broke ground for a $1.5-billion resort and casino project on the NPF property in the Entertainment City.