Duterte to hold secretaries liable for project delays

DAVAO CITY, Philippines — Department secretaries will now be held responsible for any delay or slippage in government projects under their jurisdiction.

President Duterte emphasized that he was making a policy statement as there seems to be no remedy for the perennial problem of graft and corruption affecting the implementation of vital projects.

“So I would like to call the attention of the secretaries, especially Secretary Villar, if there is any slippage of any work of any kind by the national government... You are all invited to see me in Malacañang... if it’s an issue of graft and corruption,” he said, referring to Public Works and Highways head Mark Villar.

The President lamented the sorry state of the country’s road network during a speech at the National Science and Technology Week celebration at the SMX Convention Center in SM Lanang Premiere here the other night.

Duterte said he is exasperated that almost every project ends up in an investigation.

“Wala akong nakitang p***** i**** daan dito sa Pilipinas na natapos on time na walang graft and corruption. Que se joda. Every program of the government ends up in an investigation. Kita mo ‘yung health? Beautiful in design, pagdating doon sa inflation, p***. Ano ba itong Pilipinas? Gusto kong patayin ‘tong mga ‘to (I haven’t seen a road construction in the country that wasn’t finished without graft and corruption. F*** it. Every program of the government ends up in an investigation. Look at the Department of Health. Beautiful design, but the inflation. What’s with the Philippines? I want to kill these people),” the President further said.

He stressed that graft and corruption continues to bog down the country, being left behind by the more progressive Singapore and Malaysia.

“I go now to the real meat of the matter. Unless we can really cut down on graft and corruption, this country will never progress within the next 30 years. If we are trying to catch up with Malaysia or Singapore, give or take about 70 years. The topography… geopolitics,” the President said.

Duterte again mentioned that he fired so many officials in the two years he has been in office.

“Ako? Marami akong sayop. Bisaya eh. Palpak. Sins, ah marami ‘yan. Faults, plenty. Pero sabihin ko sa inyo, money, never an issue (Me? I have had many mistakes. I am Visayan. Failures. Sins, I have many. Faults, plenty. But money was never an issue),” he said.

Duterte emphasized that if there is a highway project that would be delayed or would not be up to specifications, then its engineer would be out.

“If there is delay or slippage, they call it, and it is about 20 percent, you are out. I will cancel the contract,” he added.

Duterte reiterated that he wants government projects to be implemented through a Swiss challenge. He said awarding contracts to the lowest bidder is the root of graft and corruption.

“Swiss challenge, you produce the bridge and I’ll pay you. If you do not complete it in accordance with the specs, as my specifications, I will not pay you,” Duterte said.

He also lambasted contractors who corrupt local government officials.