CLARK FIELD, Pampanga – President Rodrigo Duterte on Tuesday vowed to launch an all-year-round lifestyle check of government officials in a bid to stop the “decades of corruption” in the Philippines.
“Then we have the corruption in government. Again it has to stop… [these] decades of corruption,” Duterte said in his speech at the 69th Philippine Air Force Anniversary here.
He warned government officials and employees who would not stop their corrupt practices that they would “place themselves in jeopardy of going to prison.”
The President cited in particular customs and internal revenue executives who are engaged in corrupt activities.
“I am sure that this is the time for, you know, landing softly. Kayong nabubuhay diyan with the extra frills, ang sweldo mo per diem mo lang ‘yan kasi meron kang kinikita,” he said.
“Well, this time, we have to learn how to live frugally and toned down. We are used to buying cars for everybody in the family,” he added.
He urged his newly appointed Customs chief Nicanor Faeldon to “do his thing” and stop corruption in the Bureau of Customs. He also reaffirmed his trust in the newly appointed internal revenue chief Ceasar “Billy” Dulay.
“Lahat ‘yang mga fixer, stop! I hope Faeldon would do his thing. Stop corruption sa Customs. At si Billy Dulay, I know him. He’s very good, he’s honest, I hope he can deliver,” he said.
Duterte has always named the Bureau of Customs as one of the most corrupt government agencies along with the Land Transportation Office and the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board.