(Eagle News) — President Rodrigo Duterte on Wednesday lamented how the names of lower-ranking government officials were being dragged in corruption cases filed by the Ombudsman even if he said they were only forced to sign documents and approve their superior’s requests.
“With due respect to the one sitting in the Ombudsman, alam mo yang corruption sa local government…makita ko talaga ang Ombudsman, sige lang iyan magfile ng kaso, left and right…Ang masama pa niyan, ang municipal mayor magsabi lang sa treasurer, ‘approve mo iyan.’ Ang mga treasurer walang choice na pumirma,” he said.
He said even then, you would see cases being filed against the treasurer before the Sandiganbayan.
The treasurer, he said, would have to come from all the way his or her province to attend the hearings.
“Makita mo mga damit nila..’Sir, pirma lang (ginawa ko),'” he said.
“Piskal ako. Tamad. ‘There being a prima facie case, let this case be filed in court.’ Tapos. Piskal ako. Pag tingin ko walang evidence, (charges are dismissed),” he added.