In a move to clear the government of corruption, President Rodrigo Duterte has offered two options for government officials and workers involved in anomalies: resign or face prosecution.
President Duterte announced in his Thursday address the names of officials from the Bureau of Customs (BOC) who were dismissed by the Ombudsman due to gross neglect of duty, grave misconduct, dishonestly, among others.
He also publicly named more PhilHealth officials and employees under preventive suspension by the Office of the Ombudsman. It has been earlier reported that the disclosure of such names will be part of President Duterte’s new normal.
President Duterte also pointed out prevalent “ghost projects” and substandard projects of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), particularly by regional directors. He reminded the task force investigating irregularities in the DPWH to immediately finalize the cases to convict involved officials.
“Ang pinaka marami sigurong matatanggal will be from DPWH. I really intend to clean government. At least kung di ko kaya, ma-menos-menosan ang kurakot sa gobyerno (The most number of who will be dismissed will be from DPWH. I really intend to clean government. If I can’t, at least corruption will be lessened in government),” he stated.
“For the longest time, wala masyado imbestigasyon diyan, pero kayong may kasalanan diyan, I advise you to resign now…You will be prosecuted administratively and criminally. Walang patawaran dito (For the longest time, there is not much investigation there. I advise those accountable to resign now…You will be prosecuted administratively and criminally. No forgiveness),” he emphasized.
Meanwhile, he gave credit to “the police and military who toiled to make this country peaceful” following the inclusion of the country as among the safest countries in the world in the Gallup survey. – Report from Naomi Tiburcio
