Another appointee to be axed

The expected sacking of a presidential appointee on Wednesday underscores the Duterte administration’s seriousness in its fight against corruption, Malacañang said on Tuesday.

Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque is scheduled to name today the official President Rodrigo Duterte has fired.

“The point is, first of all, the President is really serious in this fight against corruption. Second, we can expect the President not to spare anybody, no friend, no classmate, no shooting body. As long as you make a wrong move, you will be fired,” Roque said in a radio interview.

He said the official had undergone an investigation.

Presidential appointees serve at the pleasure of the President, so it cannot be said that they have a right to due process, Roque said.

But they won’t be removed from their positions without a reason for the President’s loss of trust and confidence in them, he added.

Only government officials covered by the civil service law go through investigation before being sacked, Roque said.

The procedure covers police officials, some of whom are also going to be sacked, he added.