By Genalyn Kabiling
President Duterte is looking for the best and the brightest in the civil service to take the place of corrupt public servants.
President Rodrigo Roa Duterte (SIMEON CELI JR./PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO / FILE PHOTO / MANILA BULLETIN)
The President said he wants people with integrity and talent in government as he implements an anti-corruption purge in the bureaucracy.
"Maraming bakante talaga 'to in the coming months... May matanggal talaga 'yan. Maraming matanggal ," he said during the awarding ceremony of 2019 outstanding government workers in the Palace last week.
"Kaya ako maghanap, mag-usap kami ni Chairperson. Maghingi ako sa inyo ng the best and the brightest ," he added, referring to Civil Service Commission chair Alicia dela Rosa-Bala.
Duterte noted that he has already relieved 64 workers in the Bureau of Customs and intends to remove 100 more for alleged corruption. He suggested to Customs chief Rey Guerrero to assign the concerned deputy, assistant chief or those next in command to replace these errant officials.
"Pagka wala, sabihin mo kay magkuha tayo. Maghanap tayo sa listahan ng Civil Service pure bright man ito ," he added.
The President, meantime, reminded government officials to shun corruption and serve with responsibility and efficiency.
"I therefore take this opportunity to remind you to never engage in corruption and other unlawful activities that will smear your dignity and taint your integrity,” he said during the Palace event.
Citing that public office is a public trust, he said the Constitution states that public officers and employees must always be accountable to the people. "This is not a challenge. This is our mandate," he said.
"I therefore call on you to continue serving with utmost responsibility, loyalty, and efficiency. May you always act with patriotism, justice and lead a modest and dignified life," he added.
He told the government workers that the support of the entire bureaucracy is crucial to the attainment of this administration’s goal of providing a comfortable life for all.
"As long as there are Filipinos who need our help to make their lives better, our task never ends. Let us, therefore, continue to serve our people with enthusiasm, joy, and pride," he said.