Duterte to fire corrupt officials before he flies for China
MANILA, Philippines — President Rodrigo Duterte on Thursday announced that he will fire corrupt officials next week before he leaves for China.
“Next week, when I fly back to report to work, before I leave for China marami akong tatanggalin (I will fire more people),” Duterte said during PDP-Laban’s campaign rally in Bacolod City, Negros Occidental.
Duterte is set to visit China for the fourth time since 2016 to participate in the Second Belt and Road Forum in Beijing on April 24 to 27.
In the same speech, the President also called on the public to directly report corruption cases to him or to call the government hotline 8888.
The President previously said that he would fire more government officials pending the confirmation of the allegations of corruption against them.
He said that he was just waiting for a report before deciding whether to let go of the said officials.
“I vowed to lessen the corruption but I will fire more next week. I am just waiting for [the] report,” he said.
“I told them, ‘You give me your report and if I find it justifiable, you can stay. But if there is corruption, I’m sorry,” he added.
The President has fired several government officials over allegations of graft and corruption while in office. He has repeatedly threatened to sack officials even on a “whiff” of corruption. /ee
READ: Duterte: I will fire more execs next week
