Corrupt local officials will be dismissed immediately, prosecuted – Duterte

MANILA, Philippines — Corrupt local government officials should be dismissed immediately and prosecuted, President Rodrigo Duterte said in a taped press briefing aired late on Sunday.

“I said, My God, I only have two years [left in my term] and I will go all out. Let’s all put a stop to this. I will see to it that you are effectively suspended as a form of punishment, but I would prefer that you be dismissed immediately and the courts are not to interfere,” Duterte said, speaking partly in Filipino.

Prior to this, Duterte has repeatedly said he would want graft and corruption to stop.

“I just want graft and corruption be stopped and the parties involved in that corruption be prosecuted, be the mayor, city council or barangay captain,” he said.

‘Delaying of ordinance’

Duterte also warned city and town council members against delaying the passage of an ordinance for at least three days or else they would face charges.

However, it was not clear on what ordinance Duterte was referring to.

“For the city councils who are delaying the passing of the ordinance, we have two months, two years,” he said. “I am telling [Interior] Secretary [Eduardo] Año: Two years, the people spending it is graft and corruption,” he said.

“I am telling you now, all you municipal and city [officials]… If you don’t come out with that, beginning today, I am going to give you exactly three days to report to the DILG. Give it there, and the DILG will inform SILG [Secretary of the Interior and Local Government] Año that it has been submitted,” he added.

INQUIRER.net sought clarification of what the President was referring to from presidential spokesman Harry Roque and Interior Secretary Eduardo Año, but they have not replied as of this posting.

/atm

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