Sueno: ‘I am a sacrificial lamb’

DISMISSED Local Government Secretary Ismael “Mike” Sueno admitted Thursday having felt like “a sacrificial lamb” when he was fired by President Rodrigo Duterte, but said he was willing to become the poster boy of the administration’s campaign against corruption.

“[Duterte] wants me as an example. I’m a sacrificial lamb...[But] okay lang ako, I’m a willing victim,” Sueno said.

Addressing the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) employees during his send-off ceremony, Sueno said he was “suffering” in the aftermath of his public firing.

“Talagang nanliit ako… parang na destroy lahat ng intentions ko at ginawa ko [sa DILG]. Hindi ako makatulog. My wife complained hindi ako makakain… I really suffered,” Sueno said.

Sueno also denied being involved in any corruption activities while heading the DILG, even likening himself to Jesus Christ whom, according to him, was also falsely accused of wrongdoings.

“Siya rin he was accused of so many things that are not true so sabi ko if I’m suffering, what more did Christ suffer… Kung ano ang suffering ko ngayon, I’d do it gladly,” he said.

The former cabinet official meanwhile clarified that he was not mad at Duterte for firing him as well as his three undersecretaries who he said conspired to oust him from his post.

“Pero alam n’yo po, hindi ako galit. Hindi ako galit kay Presidente...I was confident I was not corrupt. I am not guilty of their accusations,” he sai d .

During his farewell speech, Sueno said he was “thankful” on how things turned out for him as this will give him and his wife more time to do other things.

“I am happy where I am right now. I am thankful to the President for giving me this opportunity… Ngayon makapahinga na kami ng misis ko. We can concentrate in my farm,” he said.

“I realized I am not fit in this kind of job. Lalo na dito sa highest seat of power. Hindi ko kaya ang buhay dito. Dahil alam ko sa baba marami ang gusto sa pwesto ko, so gladly I’ll give everything to them,” Sueno added.

Sueno was fired on Monday in front of other officials during a cabinet meeting in Malacañang. Palace officials cited “loss of trust and confidence” as the President’s reason for letting Sueno go. (Jauhn Etienne Villaruel/SunStar Philippines)