President Rodrigo Roa Duterte on Wednesday, August 9, emphasized his administration’s fight against corruption, encouraging Filipino businessmen to report corruption activities of government workers.
“Kaya kung sa ano, sabihin ko sa inyo, if there is corruption, even just a whiff of suggesting to you, sabihin ko sa inyo, murahin na ninyo ‘yan. They do not have — we in government do not have that right to ask money other than our salaries,” the President said in his speech as he graced the Philippine Development Forum: Sulong Pilipinas 2017 in Mandaluyong City.
“You report to us… We work for the people whether you are on the left or you are on the right. Trabaho namin ‘yan. But corruption is really one I do not like,” he added.
The Chief Executive said workers of government should work for the people and as much as possible “we want to earn, honestly, what’s our keep for the day. Maski na kaunti.”
Citing the present issue at the Bureau of Customs (BoC), President Duterte said Filipinos should not condone corruption they witness in the government.
“Now, dito sa Customs, dito naman sa corruption, do not allow yourself to be fooled by just a worker of government,” he said.
The Chief Executive vowed that he will not tolerate corruption in his administration, including the involvement of his sons and daughter.
“Pati ‘yung anak ko ngayon, isinasali diyan sa Customs. I told you before and I’m telling you now again: Kung sino sa mga anak ko ma-involve sa corruption, I will immediately resign. That you have my word,” he said.
“‘Di ako pwede talaga corruption and ano. Kaya sabi ko, kung sino man ‘yung official who entertains, with the intervention of any of my sons and daughter, that is enough for me. I will fire you and I will press charges against you and my relative, whoever he is, and you will have the luxury of seeing me go down,” he added.
Meanwhile, President Duterte reiterated his call to shift to a federal type of government.
“If you do not reconfigure the unitary type of government now, which is the one that we’re using, and if there is no change in Mindanao, there will be no peace until the end of time for the Philippines. I hate to repeat it again and again. But ‘yung imperialistic practices both in the Middle East and here… created so much trouble for everybody,” he said.
“If we are not ready to go federal, let us begin with a regional structure that’s change and give to the Muslims. Bahala na sila,” he added.
Also present during the event were former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea, Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III, Senate President Aquilino Pimentel III, and House Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez, among others.###PND
