Duterte to fire more officials for corruption

President Duterte reiterated his distaste for corruption, adding that there would be more than one who will be fired because of it.

“Kaya ako pagbalik ko (That’s why when I get back), maybe tomorrow, I’ll be firing a lot of people simply for corruption,” he said in a speech in Iloilo City Saturday night.

Duterte mentioned the mere asking for applicants to keep on returning to process their permits is already a form of corruption.

“To me, that is corruption. Nothing else. Ang meaning niyan (What that means) is you want money so he has to go back and forth,” he said.

“That’s a warning. Pati dito sa baba, kayong mga director, lahat (Even for you in the lower ranks, the directors, everyone), national agencies. You only have 15 days to process,” he added.

Duterte then reminded the public to immediately report to him if they encounter corrupt officials or have been a victim of corruption.

“Any businessman, any — any Filipino or foreigner doing business here or even a tourist, if it involves corruption, let me know,” he said.

“Go to Malacañan at any time. Ang sabihin mo lang sa guwardiya (Just tell the guard): ‘I have to report to the mayor that I was a victim of corruption,’ and I will entertain you and I will solve it for you,” he added.

“Tawagin ko kinabukasan at magharap kayo (I will summon that person so you can face each other). That’s my style,” he continued.

Duterte then said that suspension and mere reprimanding will not work anymore.

“Ang corruption mahirap tanggalin eh. Hiyain mo, saktan mo. The only way to do it is hiyain mo tapos saktan mo. Otherwise, wala. Suspension nandiyan balik (Corruption is so hard to eliminate. You have to shame them and hurt them. That’s the only way. Otherwise, it will not work. You suspend them and they will just come back),” he said.

Malacañang earlier said that President Duterte would be announcing himself the officials that he would be firing due to corruption.

Duterte earlier warned that the country is failed to doom if the government fails to address the corruption looming within.