Duterte to fire another gov't exec upon return to PH

PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte's firing spree of corrupt public service is not yet over, as he announced Friday, November 16, that he would axe another government official supposedly involved in corruption.

In a speech delivered in Papua New Guinea, Duterte hinted that he would sack another erring public official when he returns to the Philippines.

“Sinabi ko, I will try to stop corruption. Lahat (I will stop all irregularities). Two months early, I fired a Cabinet member for lying,” he said during his meeting with the Filipino community in Port Moresby.

“Nobody would foist a lie like that. Nag-init ang ulo ko (I am becoming short-tempered when you do that). And since then, marami na ako (I have fired many) until now. And when I go back, meron na naman. Talagang tatanggalin kita. Sorry na lang (I will fire another. I will really fire you. I feel sorry for you),” he added.

The President, however, did not mention the name of the government official who will face dismissal.

He also failed to cite reasons for the impending firing of the alleged public servant.

Since he assumed office in 2016, Duterte has already booted out dozens of government officials, including those who are close to him, because of either corruption allegations or supposed frequent overseas trips.

In October, Duterte announced that he had fired the last Left-leaning official in his Cabinet, Labor Undersecretary Joel Maglunsod. Maglunsod is also the last high-ranking official axed by Duterte so far.

The President, amid his anti-corruption crackdown in government, reiterated his order that all government officials must first get a clearance before they could travel abroad.

“So ngayon, walang Cabinet lahat (So now, there will be no special treatment to all, including the Cabinet). They have to get a clearance. Wala na 'yang... Pati 'yung mga kaibigan ko (There will be no special treatment. Even my friends have to follow rules),” Duterte said.

“Sabi ko, hindi tayo magkaintindihan sa pera ng tao, umalis ka (I said, if we cannot understand each other when it comes to taxpayers' money, then you must leave),” he added.