President vows to continue anti-corruption purge

President Duterte has vowed to continue the anti-corruption purge in government, saying there would be no sacred cows in this effort.

Addressing the PDP-Laban campaign rally in Negros Occidental Friday, the President said he would dismiss corrupt public servants and file cases against them.

"Corruption, wala kong patience [I have no patience with corruption]. We will continue to purge government,” Duterte said in his remarks.

"Walang sagrado dito. Ni anak ko, ni kaibigan ko. Basta nandyan ka, nandyan ka. Pasensya ka, period [There will be no sacred cows even if they are my children or my friends. If you're involved, you'll be sorry]," he added.

Duterte issued the remarks after he terminated the service of Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) General Manager Alexander Balutan due to serious allegations of corruption.

Balutan, a retired Marine general, was appointed to the PCSO post in September 2016.

In his speech, the President said he has fired "so many Cabinet members" including longtime allies amid alleged involvement in corruption and abuse.

"If I could just succeed about a third of what I should be doing, I would be happy," he said about his campaign against corruption.

The President insisted that the country could "never, never, never develop" if corruption would not be stopped and peace and order would not be maintained.

Duterte also encouraged the public to report any corruption complaint, including cops involved in extortion, to his office. He said he would allow them to slap these erring public servants.

Meanwhile, Senator Panfilo Lacson said the Palace should now file appropriate charges against Balutan.

"Since Malacañang has already cited and announced the reason for his sacking, it is incumbent upon them to file the necessary criminal charges for violation of the country's anti-graft laws," Lacson said in a text message to The Manila Bulletin.

Lacson said he was convinced that there was basis in President Duterte's decision to fire Balutan as he cited the information gathered by the Senate Committee on Games and Amusements.

The panel conducted in January last year an inquiry on the possible corruption at the PCSO through its small-town lottery (STL) operations.

The PCSO, on the other hand, said Balutan resigned from his post due to "personal reasons." (With a report from Vanne Terrazola)