President Rodrigo Duterte in his public address on Monday night admitted that he “offered to resign as President” amid the incessant corruption in the country.
“Totoo po ‘yun in front of the military during one of the command conference(s) ay sinabi niya na gusto na niyang bumitiw (That is true. It was in front of the military during one of the command conferences when he said he wanted to resign),” Go revealed.
“Dahil po ‘yun sa korapsyon na talagang exasperated na po ang ating Pangulo tuwing mayroon po siyang naririnig na korapsyon sa ating bansa. Pero kayo lang po ang makakatulong, ang kapwa nating Pilipino. Magtulungan po tayo (It is because he is really exasperated whenever he hears of corruption in the country. But it is only us who can help each other),” Go added.
For Senate President Vicente Sotto III, those who are involved in anomalies should be thinking of resigning and not President Duterte because, “he was elected by the country. He cannot turn his back on the specified task by the Filipinos! I don’t think he means it.”
Senator Panfilo Lacson suggested that President Duterte “only needs to be consistent in applying the anti-graft and corruption laws to both friends and foes.”
“Strong words and warnings may work only when followed by concrete actions. There is no better way,” Lacson added.
Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque clarified on Tuesday that the Chief Executive’s plan to resign will not push through.
Meanwhile, President Duterte also expressed dismay on the issue of red tape. He said he is “ready to appear” in Congress to discuss how to “cut corruption [and] simplify the ease of doing business.”
Anti-Red Tape Act author Sen. Juan Miguel Zubiri said “there is a communication problem with the people that we have such a law that is supposed to protect them from corruptions” and delays.
The Ease of Doing Business Act had its full implementation on August 4, 2019. ARTA Director Jeremiah Belgica said all transaction can be expedited through “streamlining and automation” or through e-governance. – Report from Eunice Samonte
