Duterte vows not to forgive corrupt officials

MANILA, Philippines — President Rodrigo Duterte has vowed not to forgive officials involved in corruption and has urged the public to report irregularities so the government could act on them.

Duterte, who has been accused by his critics of having double standards on the crackdown against corruption, said he is ready to put in place a new "structure" to ensure that projects are free of irregularities.

"I do not forgive cases sa mga corruption. Wala talaga. Walang areglo, wala lahat (Nothing really. No compromise, no anything). No quarters given, no quarters asked," Duterte said during a televised public address last Monday.

"Iyang sa mga project sa baba, iyon ang laro diyan (Corruption is present in the projects on the ground). So we might maybe place another structure there - structure to improve the integrity of the projects and pwede ninyong ma-report maski ano basta corruption and walang patawad (You may report any corruption and there will be no mercy)," he added.

Duterte did not elaborate on the new structure that he wants to establish. Duterte made the remark days after he described the corruption in the Department of Public Works and Highways as "grave." The statement also came as some senators are alleging that the DPWH budget for next year contains billions in lump sum appropriations.

Duterte, however, is convinced that DPWH Secretary Mark Villar is not involved in anomalies.

"Secretary Villar has lots of money. He does not need to steal money. The problem is in the lower level and it's still serious until now," the president said.
 
"Tell me the name. Tell me the name of the engineer. Most of the personnel of DPWH are project engineers," he added.

Duterte encouraged the public to report anomalies through the government hotline 8888. He also reminded agencies to publish details of projects, including interested bidders, so the public can check their background.

The DPWH has formed a task force to probe allegations of corruption in the agency.

"Perhaps that's the first step undertaken by DPWH to address the problem of corruption...Let's given them a chance because I think this is one of the rare moments where the corruption in DPWH, which the President has described as blatant and systemic, is being addressed," presidential spokesman Harry Roque said at a press briefing yesterday.

Duterte has fired several officials tied to anomalies but critics are not impressed, noting that some of the dismissed appointees were given new posts.