President Duterte renews commitment to fight illegal drugs, corruption

President Rodrigo Roa Duterte leads the 19th Founding Anniversary of the Volunteers Against Crime and Corruption (VACC) at the Rizal Hall of MalacaƱan Palace on August 16, 2017.

President Rodrigo Roa Duterte on Wednesday, August 16, attended the 19th founding anniversary of the Volunteers Against Crime and Corruption (VACC), reiterating his commitment to fight illegal drugs, criminality, and corruption in the country.

In his speech at MalacaƱan Palace, the President highlighted the difficulty in fighting illegal drugs noting that even United States grapples to address it.

The Chief Executive also presented an updated list of people involved in the drug trade.

He also voiced frustration over the inability of the Bureau of Customs to quell the entry of illegal narcotics to the Philippines.

With regard to corruption, the President renewed his desire to eliminate it.

He particularly mentioned the corruption in the bidding process noting that lowest bidding is the source of all corruption.

ā€œGanun ang raket dito sa Maynila. ā€˜Yung lowest bid is the source of all graft and trouble dito sa corruption. Kasi ā€˜yung lowest bid, walang pera ā€˜yan,ā€ he noted.

ā€œAnd he will dive and bid for the lowest price. ā€˜Pag na-award na ā€˜yung bid niya, he will go to another sub-contractor,ā€ he added.

The President also noted that losing bidders go to court for temporary restraining orders (TROs) courtesy of unscrupulous judges.

ā€œDito mag-negosyo sila. They participate in biddings. Tapos ā€˜pag natalo sila, all they have to do is — hanap-buhay eh. They go to courts, corrupt naman ā€˜yung huwes,ā€ the President said. (PND)

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