President Rodrigo Duterte has set his sights on chopping off the head of corruption in the local government, observing that corruption “is still very much alive” especially in local governments.
The President made the remarks during the 68th National Security Council and 69th National Intelligence Coordinating Agency founding anniversary rites in Pasay City on Tuesday, saying corruption was more widespread in the local government.
Corruption and illegal drugs were among Duterte’s political campaign pitches and vowed to address corruption not only in the national government but also in the local government areas.
The President has fired several top government officials with Cabinet rank linked to corruption, saying his anti-corruption campaign was meant to promote public accountability.
“In local government, I tell you [corruption] is the very thing that is really pulling us down: corruption… corruption is still very much alive,” Duterte said.
Duterte had vowed to reduce corruption to the barest minimum during his six-year term ending in 2022.
Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said Duterte had “firm resolve” to fight corruption, even though the anti-corruption commission would still have to be constituted.
“The President has not waited for its constitution before he has started actually the purging of corrupt officials in government. As you know, even without the commission, he has gone ahead and fired many of his presidential appointees,” Roque said in his previous press briefing in the Palace.
“He is not waiting for its constitution before he moves against corruption. He has shown that with or without it, he has a firm resolve against corruption and he will implement it,” he added.