(Eagle New) – President Rodrigo Duterte warned that he “might fire” another government official as soon as he got back from his Davao trip where he led the inauguration of Davao River Bridge widening project.
He also mentioned that he had just fired Transportation Assistant Secretary Mark Tolentino for approaching his sister about a government project.
“Sinabi ko naman sa inyo noon and people — baka hindi nila ako kilala, hindi taga-Davao, sinabi ko na do not talk to anybody especially my family, my wife, my daughter, my sons or any relatives of mine, kapatid, huwag kang pumayag na makiusap sa inyo,” he said.
“And even the discussion of that Mindanao railway, it’s still in the blueprint. But the fact that itong assistant secretary talked it over with my sister even if just a conversation. Lumayo talaga kayo because sabi ko ‘pag nalaman ko, tapos. Alis ka talaga,” Duterte explained.
The President said the official whom he might fire next also violated this rule.
“That has always been my warning and so sali lahat. I might fire another one pagbalik ko sa Malacañan. And sadly lahat ‘yung halos karamihan were my appointees and my friends and who were with me during the mayorship days,” he said in his speech on Thursday, May 24.
Duterte said he asked all of his appointees not to use his name or the name of any of his family members in trying to impress anybody, or to influence any government transaction or deal.
“Sinabi ko lang kanila makikiusap ako huwag, do not, kasi ayaw ko talaga. And even a whisper. Eh ‘yung mali kasi nung assistant secretary mo Secretary is he mentioned that he was talking to a member of the First Family. Alam mo sa totoo lang that is passé, bahaw na man ang first family. You do not use it in a democratic country. Huwag mong gamitin ‘yang ‘first family, first family.’
There is no such thing as a first family. Lahat Pilipino first family ‘yan. And it is in utter bad taste to use it. You have never heard me say Malacañan Palace, lalo na ‘yung palace. I just “my office.” See me at my office. Go to my office,” he added.