Duterte kicks out all presidential appointees in government

President Rodrigo Duterte on Sunday fired all presidential appointees in government by declaring their posts vacant.

Citing continuing corruption in government “especially in the regulatory agencies,” Duterte told the appointees: “Consider your positions vacant as of this hour.” He spoke at about 2 a.m. during a press conference.

The President noted that corruption was giving “headaches to  fellow human beings.”

He stressed that his order included “all” presidential appointees. “It will number in the thousands” all over the country’s bureaucracy.

It was unclear if the order included positions of those he recently appointed and swore into office in Malacañang.

“Until now, in my provincial visits, I still hear corruption being committed,” the Chief Executive said.

He singled out the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) and the Land Transportation Organization (LTO).

The President ordered the current head of the LTFRB, lawyer Martin Delgra, to report to him in Malacañang.

Duterte also pointed to the head of the LTO and all presidential appointees in the agency.

He clarified that career officials and employees were not included in the order. CBB/rga