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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Duterte: Gov't needs accountants in anti-corruption drive

Duterte: Gov't needs accountants in anti-corruption drive

Published Jul 19, 2021 09:34 am

Accountants are crucial in the fight against corruption in government, according to President Duterte.

President Rodrigo Duterte, chairman of the Partido Demokratiko Pilipino - Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban), delivers a speech during the national assembly of the PDP-Laban in Clark, Pampanga on July 17, 2021. (Malacañang)

The President admitted that the anti-corruption campaign was not easy, recognizing the need to examine a "maze of documents" to find irregularities. Duterte said he needed accountants more than lawyers in carrying out such tedious task to root out corruption in government.

"Sabi ko, tatapusin ko itong graft and corruption (I said I will end graft and corruption). You know, it takes time to discover a wrongdoing, especially if you are in front of a maze of documents. You would need accountants," Duterte said during the national assembly of the ruling PDP-Laban party Saturday, July 17.

"Lawyers are not even competent really to sort out all of these things and be reminded of all the --- itong mga circular ng COA (Commission on Audit). Hindi madadali ‘yan (of the circulars of COA. They are not easy)," he said.

READ: Duterte ‘gunning for more’ corrupt officials to be fired

Despite facing difficulties in the campaign against corruption, Duterte took pride of some accomplishments in cleaning up the bureaucracy.

He mentioned the dismissal of over 40 immigration personnel implicated in the alleged pastillas scam, the controversial scheme of extorting from foreigners in exchange for smooth entry to the country. More than 70 customs personnel have also been removed, according to the President.

"And then a host of a weekly dismissal na hindi ko na binabasa minsan (that I don't read sometimes) for lack of material time," he said.

READ: Eliminate corruption in government? That’s impossible, Duterte says

Duterte, who has expressed frustration over the endemic corruption in government, has vowed to use the remainder of his term of run after corrupt public servants. He often read names of officials either suspended or dismissed from office over corruption complaints.

Duterte, who will step down next year when his six-year term ends, previously offered to resign after expressing exasperation that corruption seemed to be endless in government. He later conceded that eliminating corruption was impossible.

Related Tags

President Duterte accountants Lawyers Commission on Audit (COA) corruption PDP-Laban party
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