Duterte: Many will be fired, jailed after gov’t-wide corruption probe

President Rodrigo Duterte said Monday that many government workers would lose their jobs, face prosecution, and go to jail after he ordered a widespread investigation into allegations of corruption surrounding his administration.

During his meeting with key officials on the government’s typhoon response, Duterte read the names of several officials allegedly involved in corruption.

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“Itong mga corruption, maski sinong administrasyon ‘to. Nandiyan na e, gaya ng PhilHealth. Long before itong mga tao na ito na dumating diyan, nandiyan na ‘yan,” he said.

Duterte read the names of some executive officials of Philippine Health Insurance Corporation, Department of Health, and Bureau of Immigration tagged in corruption in their respective agencies.

Duterte dropped the names of PhilHealth executives Arnel de Jesus, Renato Limsiaco Jr., Shirley Domingo, as well as Dr. Roger Tong-An of the DOH Administration and Financing Team.

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“Ang masakit sa taumbayan ‘yung alam nila na may pera na dapat para sa kanila, in this case, the assistance, tapos walang dumating at somebody goes out to embezzle or abscond with the money. ‘Yan ang masakit,” Duterte said.

Duterte also reported that in the Bureau of Customs alone, 135 personnel are under probe, 45 were facing administrative cases, 20 were dismissed, and four were suspended.

Also read: Government-wide corruption probe spares no one – Palace

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Duterte: Many will be fired, jailed after gov’t-wide corruption probe

Around 40 people tagged in the “pastillas” scheme have also been named.

“The next round will be by December. Many will lose their jobs. Many will be separated from the government. Many will face prosecution. Many will go to jail,” Duterte said.

“Sabi ko noon, ‘Kung mahilig ka sa pera, papakain ko talaga sayo.’ Tingnan ko… ‘Yan ang style ko. It is not nice. It is wrong. It could even be a criminal act, but just the same, I’ll do it.”

Last week, Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra announced the five government agencies that the task force he will form would first look into whether there is corruption:

  • Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth)
  • Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH)
  • Bureau of Customs (BOC)
  • Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR)
  • Land Registration Authority (LRA)