Duterte's anti-corruption targets local execs next

MANILA - After firing several presidential appointees for corruption, President Rodrigo Duterte now wants to look into the reported anomalies of local government officials, including those from the Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao (Armm).

Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque Jr. said Duterte emphasized during the Cabinet meeting on Monday, January 8, his intent to "clean up the ranks" of local government executives.

Roque said this is in line with the Chief Executive's commitment to "promote public accountability" among public servants.

"The President mentioned in the Cabinet meeting his resolve also to clean up the ranks of the

local government executives to highlight that it’s not just presidential appointees that would be subject to this campaign to promote public accountability but includes everyone in government," he said.

"The President stated that he will continue with the process of cleansing the bureaucracy. And that he will now turn more of his attention to local government units, including the Autonomous Region of Muslim MIndanao," he added.

Duterte, who pledged to rid his government of corruption, has sacked various government officials because of their supposed irregularities and incompetence.

Just last week, Duterte fired Maritime Industry Authority administrator Marcial Amaro III over reports that he took "excessive" overseas trips. SunStar Philippines