Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, June 29) — President Rodrigo Duterte hinted at sacking another government official over corruption allegations.
He did not name the official.
“I am about to fire somebody from here. If it is proven that humingi siya ng pera, may opisyal dito na tatanggalin ko. In a few days I’ll fire him,” he said Wednesday in remarks during the turnover of military assistance from China to the Defense Department at Clark Freeport Zone in Angeles City, Pampanga.
[Translation: I am about to fire somebody from here. If it is proven he asked for money, I will fire that official. In a few days I’ll fire him.]
In another speech on the same day, this time at the 140th founding anniversary of the Philippine Chinese Charitable Association Inc. at Manila Hotel in Manila, he said the government official works at “Clark Airbase,” mistakenly referring to the Clark Development Corp., which is tasked with managing the Clark Freeport Zone and the Special Economic Zone.
“There’s somebody there sa Clark Airbase. I will fire him maybe tomorrow or basta… Eh kasi doon ang balita, locator pagka maghingi na ng permit to start to contract, a contractor starts to build, eh humihingi ng two million. Ako nagtitiis ako ng P130,000 na sweldo. Ikaw two million kada pirma mo?” Duterte said.
[Translation: There’s somebody in the Clark Airbase. Maybe I will fire him tomorrow. The news is that when someone asks for a permit to start to contract, they are asking for 2 million. I endure my P130,000 salary, and you get P2 million for every signature?]
Clark Air Base in Pampanga and Subic Naval Base in Zambales were two of the premier military bases of the US in the Pacific until the Philippine Senate voted in 1991 to end American military presence in the country. Both bases were then converted into free ports and special economic zones.
Duterte said corruption is pulling the country down.
“I hate corruption… Magkasala na kayo nang magkasala, you avoid graft and corruption because that is the very thing that has pulled us down all throughout the years,” he said.
The President said he is not immune to corrupt practices.
“Hindi ako nagmamakalinis (sic). Marami rin akong nanakaw pero naubos na. Pero corruption is really out during my term,” he said.
Two of Duterte’s men, who have been colleagues of his before he was elected President, resigned or was fired over corruption allegations.
In March, former campaign spokesperson and National Irrigation Administration (NIA) chief Peter Tiu Laviña resigned, Cabinet Secretary Jun Evasco said.
Related: Evasco: Laviña resigned to spare Duterte of corruption allegations
Duterte dismissed DILG Secretary Sueno Department of Interior and Local Government Secretary Ismael Sueno due to “loss of trust and confidence” in light of corruption allegations. Sueno was accused of corruption activities for approving the release of payment for 76 fire trucks at P6.78 million per truck. The deal to purchase the trucks from Austria was sealed during the Aquino administration.
Related: Ex-DILG Secretary Sueno: No due process in my dismissal
“Eh ‘yung mismong Cabinet Secretary ko, magbili ka ng truck na 18 million? Anong klaseng apoy ‘yan patayin mo? First class na apoy?” Duterte said on Wednesday.
[Translation: My own Cabinet Secretary, you are buying firetrucks worth P18 million? What kind of fire are you putting out? First class fire?]
Alleged corrupt official takes leave
Although Duterte did not mention a name, some reports identified the alleged corrupt official as Clark Development Corporation President Noel Manangkil.
Manangkil went on voluntary leave on Thursday and has submitted himself for investigation following Duterte’s hints.
“I would like to categorically and very strongly deny any involvement in the alleged anomaly of demanding bribes from Clark locators… Because I am aware and that I adhere to the position of the President against corruption — even just hints of it — I fully submit myself to an impartial investigation on the allegations,” Manangkil said in a statement.
In Davao City on Thursday, the President refused to confirm if he indeed referring to Manangkil.
“He was the finance officer of the Clark Development. But I’m not saying that I am sure that he is guilty. What I’m saying is that I’ve been receiving reports about corruption,” he said.
Duterte said he was just stressing his policy that officials linked to corruption will be fired.
“No, I just issued a warning because of a report. But I have not really named him publicly in the sense that he is the man that is — that he was the target of my announcement. I was just repeating my warning to everybody, not only to Manankil but to everybody that I will not countenance graft and corruption in my government,” he said.
CNN Philippines’ Ina Andolong contributed to this report.
