Stepping up his anti-corruption campaign, President Duterte has offered cash incentive of much as P100,000 to any person who can provide information about any "ghost project" and other "conspiracy" to commit an illegal act in government.
(RICHARD MADELO / PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO / FILE PHOTO / MANILA BULLETIN)
Addressing the nation Tuesday night, the President said he is willing to shell out P50,000 to P100,000 for information that will flag an anomalous government contract and unmask the syndicate behind it.
Duterte, who has expressed dismay with rampant corruption in government, assured that informants may remain anonymous if they want, and vowed to ensure their protection.
The President said he would protect the identity of the tipsters, adding he would come to their aid if they get harassed by the people involved in the anomalous project. Duterte said he would "deal with the devil" and gladly shoot them.
The President made the commitment after reading aloud another set of immigration and public works personnel implicated in alleged irregularities during a televised address Tuesday night.
The concerned government personnel have either been suspended, under investigation, or charged by authorities, according to the President.
"Sa corruption, sinasabi ko naman sa inyo na galit ako talaga and I will not only investigate you. I will expose you to the public para malaman ng tao na niloko ninyo iyong gobyerno (On corruption, I've told you that I'm really angry and I will not only investigate you, I will expose you to the public so people will know you are fooling the government)," Duterte said.
Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra clarified that only information that will lead to the successful prosecution of corruption cases will receive rewards.
Guevarra pointed this out during Wednesday’s Kapihan sa Manila Bay with Marichu Villanueva concerning President Duterte’s offer of ₱50,000 to ₱100,000 rewards to information that will be provided to the Task Force Against Corruption (TFAC) that is led by the Department of Justice (DOJ).
“Itong reward system na ito will apply only to complaints that actually bore fruit (This reward system will apply to complaints that actually bore fruit),” the secretary said.
“So yun talagang nag-develop (These are cases that really developed) and we were already able to verify, we were able to pursue the investigation, and eventually filed the proper complaints in the Ombudsman,” he added.
Guevarra believes the rewards will be drawn from the President’s intelligence funds.
The President named six immigration personnel who have been placed under preventive suspension pending an investigation.
He also mentioned the three immigration officers currently suspended in connection with the alleged tampering of travel documents of an executive of the German firm Wirecard.
"Perry Michael Pancho, Marcos Nicodemus, Darren Ilagan. Preventively suspended last month by the DOJ pending investigation of formal charges against them for grave misconduct, neglect of duty, or conduct prejudicial to the best interest in the service in connection with the falsification of travel records of a former Wirecard executive," he said.
Three other immigration officers, namely, Neil Tristan Estomo, Mikara Kaye Cortez, and Christopher Lee were also identified by the President. These personnel were placed under preventive suspension by the DOJ last month pending investigation and the filing of formal charges against them for grave misconduct, serious dishonesty, gross neglect of duty, and/or conduct prejudicial to the best interest of the service in connection with the “pastillas” scheme, Duterte said.
Duterte also read the list of several other officials of the Department of Public Works and Highways who have either been suspended or dismissed by the Ombudsman. The public works personnel were facing various offenses such as dishonesty, grave misconduct, and conduct prejudicial to the best interest of service.
To the officials who were merely suspended for a few months, the President warned that he would seek their dismissal if they get entangled with corruption.
"Next time magkamali ka (you commit a wrongdoing), I will personally see to it that you are out," he said.
Duterte said he is prepared to replace erring public servants with better qualified people.
"Do not ever think that you are indispensable in the scheme of things sa gobyerno. Maraming Pilipino diyan na mga graduate na mahuhusay na honest. Marami ‘yang walang trabaho ngayon (There are many Filipino graduates who are competent and honest. Many have no jobs now)," he said.
"Maraming Pilipinong naghihintay, mga civil service eligible na mga graduates. Marami akong pampalit sa inyo (Many Filipinos are waiting, they are civil service eligible. I have many replacements for you)," he said.