(Eagle News) — Expect a “cleansing” among local government officials.
Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said President Rodrigo Duterte declared his intent to do this in a Cabinet meeting on Monday afternoon.
“The President mentioned (in the Cabinet meeting) his resolve also to clean up the ranks of the local government executives to highlight that it’s not just presidential appointees that would be subject to this campaign to promote public accountability but includes everyone in government,” Roque said.
According to Roque, this only shows the President’s “firm resolve” against corruption.
“As you know, even without the (Presidential Anti-Corruption Commission) created by Executive Order No. 43, he has gone ahead and fired many of his presidential appointees,” Roque said.
Only recently, the President fired Marcial Amaro III, administrator of the Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA), over his excessive trips abroad.
Roque said Amaro made 24 foreign trips in 13 months.
Also dismissed by the President over trips made was Presidential Commission for the Urban Poor chair Terry Ridon.
Duterte noted Ridon’s “unnecessary trips” even when he was head of a commission aimed at alleviating the plight of the poor.
Then-Interior Secretary Ismael Sueno was also dismissed over corruption allegations.