CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY , Philippines - More heads will roll in President Duterte’s Cabinet as he vowed to get rid of corrupt officials following the firing of one of his closest allies.
In the wake of the dismissal of former National Irrigation Administration (NIA) administrator Peter Laviña for alleged irregularities, Duterte said more Cabinet officials would face the ax once they are implicated in corruption.
Laviña was reportedly forced to resign last week amid accusations that he was asking money from NIA contractors, an allegation that he vehemently denied.
The former NIA chief said he resigned to save the Duterte government from embarrassment.
“So in the coming days I’m going to fire additional people whom I have appointed in government,” Duterte told reporters after his visit to the wake in Cagayan de Oro of two soldiers killed in a recent encounter with communist rebels.
The wounded and the dead soldiers were the latest casualties as the military and New People’s Army fighters figured in a series of encounters in Misamis Oriental last week.
Although he did not give any number or name of those whom he will boot out from his Cabinet, Duterte said “marami yan (there are many of them).”
He also warned all public officials who may be suspected of committing unlawful acts or abusing their power.
“This is my warning to those in the government: whether you are a director or CESO or civil service eligible, I’m telling you stop it, at least for six years, while I’m still sitting in office,” he said, referring to those who may be involved in corrupt practices.
During his campaign, Duterte promised to purge the government of corrupt officials.
“Corruption will stop and it will stop, I am telling you I will put a stop to it,” he added.