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Duterte threatens to dismiss, not merely suspend, corrupt gov't officials
Duterte threatens to dismiss, not merely suspend, corrupt gov't officials
President Duterte has threatened to change the suspension order of corruption-linked government officials to dismissal once their cases reach his desk.
The President said more errant officials will be held accountable after reading aloud another list of officials either suspended or dismissed for various offenses during a televised address Tuesday night.
The latest batch of 21 officials who allegedly violated the country's anti-graft practices law were mostly assigned to agencies attached to the Department of Transportation (DOTr).
"So ito iyong drive natin sa Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices. Many more kasi pending eh. Many more na may mga kaso. Maski na malakad ninyo na suspension lang pagdating dito sa opisina ko, I can reverse any decision pababa, except the Ombudsman (This is our drive in the anti-graft and corrupt prices. Many more are pending. Many more have cases. Even if you face only suspension, when it reaches my office, I can reverse any decision, except the Ombudsman)," Duterte said in his remarks.
"Kung dito sa akin, 'pag basta may pera, conversion ganoon, dismissed kayo (If it reaches my desk, when the case involves funds, conversion, you'll be dismissed). I will reverse the decision from suspension to dismissal," he said.
The President affirmed his strong resolve to combat corruption in government, warning anew those involved in irregularities.
"Sabi ko sa corruption, so kung gusto ninyo, iyong iba sa gobyerno, sige. Do it and I will be glad to accommodate you --- oblige you, rather (If you get involved in corruption in government, go ahead. Do it and I'd be glad to accommodate you, rather oblige you)," he said.
The President revealed the names of several officials assigned at the Land Transportation Office (LTO), Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB), Office for Transportation Security (OTS), and Philippine Aerospace Development Corporation (PADC) who have either been suspended or dismissed from service by the DOTr. Some officials faced allegations of bribery and grave misconduct.
"From the Philippine Aerospace Development Corporation, which used to be under DOTr. The agency was transferred to the DND (Department of National Defense). Commodore Gilbert Rueras, dismissed from the service," Duterte said.
Duterte said he intends to review the cases of suspended officials and change the penalty to dismissal.
"Itong si Melanie Diaz, suspended for allegedly receiving 200,000 in exchange for a franchise. This is bribery. I am changing the penalty from suspension to dismissal," he said.
In recent weeks, the President has stepped up the campaign against corruption after expressing dismay over the alleged thriving anomalies in government. He has directed the Department of Justice to conduct a sweeping probe on corruption in the entire government and prosecute those involved.
Duterte also started to read aloud names of government officials either suspended or dismissed over corruption allegations. Previous lists contained the names of officials from the public works department and immigration bureau.