Duterte: I fired corrupt Cabinet members

MANILA, Philippines — President Duterte on Thursday said he fired five or six members of his Cabinet due to corruption and announced he would no longer make appointments or approve big projects until the end of his term.

“When I became President, I heard reports of corruption. So (acting Environment) Secretary (Jim) Sampulna is new because I fired them all. I won’t name anybody because it’s painful to them this had to happen. But you know, whether you helped me during the elections or contributed something good, I am very thankful,” Duterte said in Cebuano in a speech in Lapu-Lapu City.

Yesterday, Malacañang clarified former environment chief Roy Cimatu was not among the officials dismissed for corruption.

“I’m not fond of announcing to the media but about – in the process, I fired five or six Cabinet members because of corruption,” the President said. Duterte said the sacking happened “a long time ago.”

“But if you ask me, I’ll say who are the Cabinet members that I fired. I fired them a long time ago. I’ve probably fired around six of them – at an unholy hour, I really – I also expressed my frustration,” he said.

“I’m not campaigning, I’m just talking about what ails the system. I’m not even naming names, but to those who are listening now, did you know about this?” Duterte said.

The President also ordered Sampulna to “stop” all reclamation projects, including those in Cebu and Mindanao.

“And then the discretion to approve reclamation areas in Manila, I said it’s either I’ll suspend it for the meantime and just leave it to the next administration,” the President said.

“All the applications right now for reclamation – all and it could include Cebu and Mindanao – I told the acting secretary to stop all of it. It’s either we give it to them last minute for as long as it’s honest and the legal requirements are complied. You review everything and if you think it’s proper and legal, give it to them,” Duterte said.

“I have plenty of work to do. A lot of people are going to Davao because I’m winding up, so to speak. A lot of people want to see me. But I won’t anymore, I won’t sign appointments, neither will I approve huge amounts of money for projects,” he also said.

Yesterday, Malacañang made it clear Cimatu was not among those fired by Duterte for corruption.

“Former Department of Environment and Natural Resources Secretary Roy Cimatu resigned due to health reasons,” acting presidential spokesman Martin Andanar said in a statement. Cimatu quit his post in February.

“President Duterte (on) numerous occasions commended former Secretary Cimatu in the successful transformation and cleanup of Boracay and Manila Bay,” Andanar said.

“There is therefore no truth to the insinuation and/or rumor of his involvement in corruption,” he said.

Andanar made the statement when acting deputy presidential spokesman Michel Kristian Ablan was asked at a press briefing yesterday whether cases had been filed against the DENR officials fired by Duterte for corruption.

“I don’t know if you are insinuating former DENR secretary Cimatu. But Secretary Cimatu resigned last February due to health reasons. In fact, the Office of the Presidential Spokesperson sent out a message of thanks for the many years of service of Secretary Cimatu,” Ablan told a reporter.

“The President himself commended Secretary Cimatu for his achievement as DENR secretary insofar as the Boracay and Manila Bay cleanups are concerned,” Ablan said.