MANILA — After firing some corrupt presidential appointees, President Rodrigo Duterte has promised to set attention on unscrupulous officials of local government units.
Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said President Duterte made this commitment to push with ‘firm resolve’ his anti-corruption campaign during last Monday’s Cabinet meeting.
“The President stated that he will continue with the process of cleansing the bureaucracy and that he now give more attention to look into LGU, including Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao,” Roque said during Palace press briefing.
Roque said the President told the Cabinet members that his anti-corruption drive aims to promote public accountability not only at the national level but “everyone in the government.”
Last week, President Rodrigo Duterte had removed Maritime Industry Authority (Marina) Administrator Marcial Quirico Amaro III from his post due to excessive foreign trips.
Based on documents provided by the Department of Transportation (DoTr), Amaro had made 24 foreign travels in a span of 13 months or an average of two foreign trips per month.
To cut down extravagant and lavish foreign trips, Malacanang had issued directives to all government officials and personnel in the executive department applying for foreign travels.
Other dismissed officials include former Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) secretary Ismael Sueno due to alleged anomalous truck deal; Peter Laviña as head of the National Irrigation Administration (NIA) due to accusation that Lavina asked money from contractors; and, Presidential Commission on Urban Poor (PCUP) officials including chairman Terry Ridon over foreign junkets.
Last Monday, Roque said in a television interview that at least 30 policemen, including at least four colonels will be axed while the Office of the President received complaints against three presidential appointees. (PNA)
