By Arjay L. Balinbin, April 4 2019; Business World

https://www.bworldonline.com/duterte-to-fire-another-official/

Image Credit to Philippine Star

MALACAÑANG on Thursday said President Rodrigo R. Duterte is set to fire another official next week.

I-a-announce niya (The President will announce it) next week. Binanggit niya rin ‘yun kagabi (He mentioned it last night) during the meeting with some businessmen, na (that) he will be firing another official,” Presidential Spokesperson Salvador S. Panelo said in a radio interview. The Palace e-mailed the interview’s official transcript to reporters on Thursday.

In a speech in Koronadal City on March 26, Mr. Duterte said he would be firing more officials because of “corruption.”

“Lessen ang (the) corruption but I will fire more next week. Hinihintay ko lang ‘yung report nila (I am just waiting for their report),” he said.

“You give me your report and if I find it justifiable, you can stay. Pero kung may corruption (But if there is corruption), I’m sorry,” he added.

In his speech at a campaign rally in Malabon City last Tuesday, Mr. Duterte said he would also release a document regarding police officials involved in drugs.

“I will release the document tomorrow [that shows] how the policemen and officials play with drugs, why the problem has not been stopped and why the policemen assigned to the anti-drugs [units] remain with the anti-drugs [units]. Kaya pinaglalaruan ang Pilipino (They are fooling the Filipino people),” he said.

Mr. Duterte also said that as far as the “Executive department is concerned, there is less or no corruption (on my) watch.”

He said the “real concern” is at the local governments.

“Iyan, corruption. Pinakamatindi corruption sa mababa. Wala na kayong problema dito sa taas, saExecutive department, ‘yung mga Gabinete (Corruption in the local level is the most problematic. We don’t have any problem here at the Executive department, the Cabinet secretaries),” he said in his speech.

“Sundan lang ninyo ako para malaman ninyo na talagang ‘yang corruption, hintuin ko ‘yan (Just follow me, so you will see that I will really stop corruption in government),” he added.

“Ngayon, kung sabihin mo, ma-control ko ba ang corruption sa lahat, ito sasabihin ko sa’yo: ang Pilipinas is corrupt to the core (Now, if you ask if I can control corruption in all [agencies], I tell you: the Philippines is corrupt to the core),” he said further.

He said corruption happens under “many tables” at “city halls” and even “at national offices.”

“Pagka dumaan ‘yang papel diyan, pera ‘yan. Eh ilang mesa ‘yan? Business permit…,” he said. (If a paper passes through there, it means money to them. How many tables are there? Business permits, [for example]).