President Rodrigo Duterte has offered to tender his resignation anew if anyone can prove that he and his cabinet members have received bribes amid rumors of kickbacks.
“Magdala ka lang ng tao at sabihin mo nagbigay siya ng piso sa amin, mag-resign ako bukas. Just one person, one affidavit. Walang imbento, iyong totoo na sinabi na may tinanggap kami na pera (Bring one person who can say he gave us a peso and I will resign the day after. Just one person, one affidavit. No fabrications, just the truth that we were bribed),” he challenged.
“In government, if there is anybody who can prove that I received money from the Office of the President, from the government one peso more than my salary, re-resign rin ako (I will also resign),” he added.
President Duterte assured that his cabinet members “are all honest” and will be asked to resign immediately if proven otherwise, saying that rumors and concocted stories are destructive which could diminish trust.
“There’s no use of governing a country when people no longer believe in you. Kasi kung hindi na maniwala ang tao, wala na (If people no longer believe in you, it’s all for naught). You are better off just enjoying your retirement,” he pointed out.
In the case of Health Secretary Francisco Duque who has been facing allegations in the controversies of state insurer PhilHealth, President Duterte cited that the former “has served government faithfully for four administrations” and that he has “not heard Secretary Duque receiving money.”
The Chief Executive has already emphasized in his recent public addresses that he will dedicate the remaining time of his term to combat corruption. A mega task force has been created to probe government-wide corruption following another task force that investigated the widespread fraud within PhilHealth.
He also recently started announcing the names of suspended and dismissed government personnel in his public addresses due to dishonesty, fraud, grave misconduct, among others. – PTV News Online
