2 officials told to resign

PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte has sought the resignation of two assistant secretaries from the Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Department of Public Works and Highway (DPWH) for their alleged involvement in corruption, Malacañang said Tuesday, May 15.

Justice Assistant Secretary Moslemen Macarambon Sr. and Public Works Assistant Secretary Tingagon Umpa risked getting fired if they do not heed the President’s call, said Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque Jr.

“The President has advised two assistant secretaries to tender their resignations or face termination for corruption,” Roque said in a press conferen ce.

Citing investigation conducted by the Presidential Anti-Corruption Commission, Roque revealed that Macarambon “has regularly been intervening on behalf of suspected smugglers of gold and other precious jewelry” at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport in Pasay City.

Umpa, on the other hand, purportedly asked contractors in the area “for certain percentages” from projects awarded to them, based on the DPWH’s probe.

“Umpa committed grave abuse of power and may have committed also acts of corruption among others,” Roque said.

Duterte has pledged to get rid of government officials involved even in just a “whiff of corruption.”

Duterte’s crackdown on corruption in government has so far resulted in the dismissal of several public officials who have been tainted with corruption or have embarked on unnecessary foreign travels. (Ruth Abbey Gita/ SunStar Philippines)