Duterte to local execs: Help me fight corruption

President Rodrigo Roa Duterte delivers his speech during the meeting with the local chief executives at The Manila Hotel on July 23, 2019. ALFRED FRIAS/PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines — President Rodrigo Duterte met with around 1,700 mayors and governors from all over the country to seek their support in his fight against corruption and drugs.

The closed-door meeting took place at a hotel in Manila on Tuesday evening, a day after his State of the Nation Address.

Presidential spokesperson Salvador Panelo said that during the meeting, the President discussed his fight against corruption and asked the officials to steer clear of the drug trade.

“He reminded them of what happened to all the mayors involved,” Panelo added.

Valenzuela City Mayor Rex Gatchalian, who was at the meeting, said the President spoke for about 45 minutes, mostly on “speeding up things in the local government.”

Business and construction permits should be issued within three days, the President told them, Gatchalian added.

“I think the President has been very consistent with his campaign against illegal drugs and corruption. When you say speed things up with releasing permits, that’s an anticorruption drive, ” he said. —Leila B. Salaverria and Nikka G. Valenzuela