24-hour hotline vs corruption eyed

DAVAO CITY, Philippines – President-elect Rodrigo Duterte is opening a 24-hour, seven days a week hotline for those who want to complain about erring government officers. He’s also making sure the complaints reach him. 

In a speech at a thanksgiving party in Cebu on Saturday night, Duterte said he would set up 12 phone lines that would allow people to directly report on corruption.

He told blogger Mocha Uson that the 24/7 hotline would be manned in a manner similar to the 911 Emergency Response Center of Davao City.

Duterte, who also wants to monitor the complaints, wanted these immediately acted upon. 

In a GMA News report, Duterte said subordinates could also use the hotlines to report a boss who is into corruption, adding that he would not hesitate to humiliate a corrupt government official in public.

During his speech that lasted for more than 40 minutes, the incoming president also said he would feel accomplished if he is able to rid the government of corruption, reduce crimes by ridding the country of illegal drugs and sign a peace agreement with the Communist Party of the Philippines, Moro Islamic Liberation Front and Moro National Liberation Front.

He said he abhors corruption and twould not tolerate anyone who would engage in corrupt practices.

Duterte also expressed his determination to work for a shift to the federal form of government.