PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte said Wednesday night he will fire another government official after Tourism Secretary Wanda Teo resigned this week over allegations of corruption.
“There’s another one coming up,” Duterte said during a speech at the presentation of the New Generation Currency banknotes and coins in Malacañang.
Duterte said he was sad to let go of some of the officials he appointed, especially those who supported his presidential campaign.
“If you’d notice, most of the ones I’ve lost are the very first persons who…,” he said in a mix of English and Filipino, without completing the sentence. “I’m very sad that they are the very first to go.”
Duterte said what made him sad was that he believed the people he appointed actually supported his crusade to bring about genuine change in the country, including the fight against corruption within the government.
“But just the same…there’s no way of telling,” he said.
The President also expressed irritation at officials who traveled often for no good reason.
“You know, if you go to other places to attend important meetings that may affect the country, I would appreciate it. If it’s really…work,” Duterte said.
“But if it’s a climate change [conference] in Brussels, then climate change in Tokyo, climate change in Indonesia, climate change in Africa, you’ve spent millions for that and I do not see any improvement,” he said without referring to any particular official by name.
Duterte has repeatedly said he would not think twice about firing government officials with even “a whiff of corruption” and has made good his promise.
The latest to leave his Cabinet was Teo, who resigned Tuesday after state auditors exposed an advertising deal that saw P60 million go to the TV program produced by her brother, Ben Tulfo.
On Thursday, the Palace said Duterte appointed Virginia Nazarrea Orogo as acting secretary of the Department of Social Welfare and Development , in place of Judy Taguiwalo, whose appointment was rejected by the Commission on Appointments.
He also appointed Eliseo Rio as acting secretary of the Department of Information and Communications Technology.
Their appointment letters were signed by the President on May 8, 2018 but released only on May 10.
The Palace said that two others were named to government posts: Rolando Ednalino Ampunin as member of the board of directors of the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority, representing the national government and Benasing Onayan Macarambon Jr. as member of the board of directors of the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority, representing the business and investment sectors.
Orogo was DSWD undersecretary before her appointment.
On the other hand, Rio was DITC undersecretary and has been the department’s officer-in-charge since October last year, following the resignation of Rodolfo Salalima.
Rio will serve in a temporary capacity until a permanent appointment is made by the President.
Reports said Senator Gregorio Honasan was being eyed for the post.
