By Genalyn Kabiling, Manila Bulletin
SEOUL — At least 30 government officials have been fired by President Duterte as part of his intensified anti-corruption campaign so far.
President Rodrigo Roa Duterte delivers his speech during the meeting with the Filipino community at the Grand Hilton Convention Center Seoul in South Korea on June 3, 2018. (ALFRED FRIAS/PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO/MANILA BULLETIN)
Addressing the Filipino community in South Korea last Sunday, the President said he has removed officials involved in certain irregularities including excessive foreign travels.
Duterte said he was hurt that many of these sacked officials convinced him to run in the last presidential elections.
“To date, I have fired almost lahat kilala ko and sadly, ito ‘yung mga tao nag-udyok sa akin — nandoon ako sa Davao, pinupuntahan ako, pinepeste ako [To date, I have fired almost everyone I know and sadly, these were the people who convince me to run. I was in Davao then and they went there and pestered me],” Duterte said in his remarks.
“So to date, I have fired about 30,” he said.
“I’m fighting corruption. You know that. Pati sila. Sinabi ko talaga sa kanila na even a whiff [Even them. I told them even a whiff],” he said about his presidential appointees.
Duterte admitted that he has dismissed some government officials for engaging in more than 10 foreign trips.
He said one official traveled 21 times abroad, including trips to China, Canada, and Brazil. He did not identify the person.
“What have you achieved? You’ve wasted money. Lahat ng nag-travel more than 10, tinanggal ko sa gobyerno [I removed in government those who traveled more than 10 times],” he said.
“What made you think that itong pera ng Pilipinas iyo [What made you think the money of the Philippines is yours?]” he added.
Duterte said he has already imposed some travel restrictions for government officials to prevent abuse of public funds. He said they must now get his permission before they could travel abroad.
“Now I have this instruction, walang travel. Before you go — except the, ‘yung gaya ng Foreign Secretary hindi mo na… Others, clear it with me. Gusto kong malaman na paano mo gastusin ‘yung kwarta [Now I have this instructor, no travel. Before you go, except the likes of the Foreign Secretary, others clear it with me. I want to know how you will spend the money],” he said.
Among the former officials recently removed from office are Customs Deputy Commissioner Noel Patrick Prudente, Government Corporate Counsel Rudolf Philip Jurado and Transportation Assistant Secretary Mark Tolentino.
Duterte said Jurado committed a mistake when he issued a legal opinion allowing the Aurora Pacific Economic Zone and Freeport Authority (APECO) to issue gambling permits outside its area of jurisdiction. He insisted that APECO had no authority like the Philippine Amusement Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) that issues gambling permits across the country.
“He interpreted the law beyond its normal proportion by farming out — nagbigay rin siya ng lisensya using the mother franchise. Eh para rin siyang PAGCOR [by giving licenses using the mother franchise. You’re just like PAGCOR (Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation],” he said.
Apart from the APECO controversy, Duterte slammed Jurado over the proposed 75-year lease contract for a foreign firm in Nayong Pilipino.
“Although it was not in the contract, in its final form, but to suggest na 75 years is totally stupid,” he said.
“Ilang presidente magdaan kung ganun 75 years? Parang ibinigay mo na ‘yung isang kumpanya, isang tao. 25 years, renewable 25 years. But 75 years — talagang… Lumayas kayo dito [How many presidents will pass in 75 years? It’s like you’ve given one company to one person. Twenty years, then renewable for 25 years. But 75 years? You better leave],” he added.
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