Jesus Dureza resigns; 2 OPAPP execs fired

MANILA, Philippines — As he had announced, President Duterte fired yesterday a Cabinet undersecretary and assistant secretary over allegations of corruption.

The sacking of Undersecretary for support services Ronald Flores and Assistant Secretary Yeshter Donn Baccay, both of the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process, is believed to have prompted Jesus Dureza to resign as OPAPP head yesterday.

Duterte made the announcement during last night’s inauguration of the new Bohol-Panglao International Airport.

“I am very sad that I accepted the resignation of Secretary Dureza,” Duterte said.

Dureza is leaving the OPAPP just when the government is in the final phase of the peace process with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front and while the government is pushing for the last stages of the Bangsamoro Organic Law.

Dureza, a high school classmate of the President at the Cor Jesu College in Digos City, Davao del Sur, has been with the OPAPP since Duterte assumed office in 2016.

Dureza was also the peace adviser during the time of former president Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and was the presidential assistant for Mindanao during the term of former president Fidel Ramos.

Flores is also the manager of the PAMANA or Payapa at Masaganang Pamayanan development program, which is in charge of infrastructure and other projects that OPAPP implements in conflict-affected areas.

PAMANA is considered a complementary track to peace negotiations. The program is anchored on the Aquino administration’s strategy of forging strategic partnerships with national agencies in promoting the delivery of goods and services and addressing regional development challenges in conflict-affected and vulnerable areas.

Flores and Baccay were fired as Duterte ramped up his campaign against the communist New People’s Army.

Duterte described Flores and Baccat as “malikot (frisky)” as sources said the two were fired for reported corruption charges against them.

Duterte dismissed the two officials days after he fired Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council secretary-general Falconi Millar, who allegedly asked money from a company with receivables from the housing agency. – With Alexis Romero