Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, October 6) — President Rodrigo Duterte said he is determined to rid his administration of corruption.
“Sabi ko walang corruption and I am fighting it,” he said in an interview with Communications Assistant Secretary Mocha Uson in Brunei.
“I signed firing two people from Malacañang for using their influence. Empleyado diyan tapos kung ano-anong pinagsasabi sa labas. I hate that,” Duterte added in the interview. Uson posted the video on her Facebook page Friday.
[Translation: I said there should be no corruption and I am fighting it. I even fired today, I signed firing two people from Malacañang for using their influence. They are employees and they are talking about things.]
The President said he has fired many employees, but chose not to publicly announce their names “out of respect” for their children.
He is in Brunei to attend the golden jubilee celebration of Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah’s ascension to the throne.
The President earlier mentioned the firing of the two employees.
“I promised you corruption. I will stop it. I will stop it. I just fired two… two employees from Malacañan for making a tool and suggesting that, you know, they were suggesting,” he said in his speech Thursday during the opening ceremonies of the AgriLink, Food Link, AquaLink 2017.
The President on October 4 signed Executive Order no. 43 creating the Presidential Anti-Corruption Commission to investigate all presidential appointees.
Related: Duterte creates anti-corruption commission
Duterte has sacked several appointees and top officials such as National Irrigation Administration Chief Peter Laviña and Interior Secretary Mike Sueno due to alleged irregularities and corruption links.
