Duterte hits corruption, red tape in government

MANILA, Philippines — President Duterte yesterday decried the corruption and red tape in government, saying the problem could pave the way to a “failed government.”

Duterte said he was reminded of the extent of the problem when he discovered during last Wednesday’s Cabinet meeting that some applications for land usage conversion have been languishing in government offices for years. 

He said some applications have been pending with the National Economic and Development Authority for 25 years “and some have not been acted upon for two years.” 

“This is not to dwell lengthily, but the system itself is designed to experience a failed government,” Duterte said during the oath taking of new appointees at Malacañang yesterday. 

“As the world progresses, as everything develops, we in turn realize our folly, and (when) it’s about time, too late,” he added. 

Duterte said the delays in the processing of documents were intended to extort money from applicants. 

“That includes verily corruption, the person will keep coming back. And there’s no end to it, the bleeding of the pocket of the guy,” the President said. 

Duterte revealed that he walked out of the Cabinet meeting while some officials were discussing the land usage conversion process. 

“If that’s how red tape or black tape looks like, when they started to debate, I interrupted them. I would not like to be a part of this briefing because this will not happen during my time, so why would I waste my time listening to this when it would take about two presidents to finish?” he said. 

Duterte said he asked Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea to take over the meeting. 

“I went out to chat with the pretty ladies outside,” the President said in jest. 

Presidential spokesman Salvador Panelo had said Duterte was frustrated by the “tedious” requirements of the land usage conversion and has asked agencies to streamline the process.