PRRD warns of radical changes soon

There will be “radical changes” in the days to come, President Duterte warned to address issues of public order and security.

“There will be changes in the coming days including public order and security. There are simply too many crimes and too many... claiming to be this and that,” Duterte said upon his arrival from a “productive” three-day official visit to Seoul yesterday.

Duterte did not specify the particular incident he was referring to but warned people should start behaving.

“Well, remember that there is... there's no difference actually between martial law and a declaration of national emergency,” he said.

"I'm warning all, including the Human Rights, it's either we behave or we will have a serious problem again," he added.

Duterte cited reports of people not reporting to work in fear of being kidnapped or being killed. He said he will not hesitate to exercise his powers to address these issues.

"Well, somehow, even with this meager emergency power, I will use it to the hilt at put things in order," he said.

Problematic agencies

Duterte said his warning likewise applies to problematic government offices which he is considering to place under the Office of the President (OP) to rein them in.

"Ni-warning ko lang kayong mga kriminal, lahat na. Nasa gobyerno, sa labas (I'm warning all criminals and even those in government). I will make radical changes in the days to come," he said.

"For those offices na hindi talaga ma-control, I will place you under the Office of the President. Ako na mismo ang kaharap mo araw-araw (You will face me everyday)," he added.

Duterte has fired appointees alleged to have been tainted with corruption to fulfill a campaign promise to rid government of the corrupt.

Only this week, Duterte replaced embattled PhilHealth OIC Celestina de la Serna over her excessive travels and reimbursements.

Last month, Duterte fired Customs Deputy Commissioner Noel Prudente also for his excessive travels in Singapore and Europe. Prudente was on a “personal trip” overseas when he was axed when the President visited the Customs bureau to witness the wrecking of 122 smuggled luxury vehicles.

Before Prudente, Duterte also fired Government Corporate Counsel Rudolf Philip Jurado, his fraternity brother and Transportation Assistant Secretary for Railways Mark Tolentino for seeking influence from a sibling of the President with regard to a railway project.