Duterte to Jurado: ‘Are you here? You’re fired’

MANILA, Philippines — President Duterte yesterday fired Government Corporate Counsel Rudolf Philip Jurado for allegedly overstepping his authority by allowing an economic zone to issue franchises in areas beyond its jurisdiction. 

Duterte said Jurado was a “fool” for allowing the Aurora Pacific Economic Zone (APECO) to grant franchises to areas outside Aurora province. 

“May I call the government corporate counsel. Are you (here)? If you are here, come out, you son of a b****. You are fired. I do not need you and maybe you don’t need me,” the President said during the ceremonial enactment of two laws in Malacañang. 

“When you are granted a franchise to conduct gambling in a certain facility, it does not include farming out that franchise to other cities and provinces. If that’s the case, ramble on following your theory, you can ramble on to give permits beyond the shores of Luzon and you can do it in Siasi, Jolo,” he added. 

Duterte said Jurado granted himself powers similar to gaming operator Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. (Pagcor).

“So you are just like a Pagcor, operating an independent entity, with the same powers you grant anything. Di ba naman tarantado (How foolish),” he said.  

“That’s the government so I try to be patient with everybody but there’s always that opportunity to interpret a law or insist on your stupid proposition,” he added. 

Jurado immediately accepted the President’s decision.

“I accept and respect our President’s decision. As an appointee who serves under his pleasure, I am honored to have been given a chance to serve under his administration,” he told The STAR. 

Jurado was on leave supposedly until Friday, June 1, when Duterte decided to fire him.

Jurado previously denied the corruption allegations against him, claiming they were fabricated by subordinates who were affected by his reforms. 

The dismissed government counsel had also responded to criticsms against his legal opinion allowing APECO to grant permits outside its controlled area.

According to him, APECO is allowed to operate outside the Aurora Economic Zone as long as it is within an area controlled by the Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA). 

New appointees

Malacañang also released the names of nine new appointees yesterday.

Miguel Ayala was named special envoy to Australia; Cheng Yong, special envoy to China; Amable Aguiluz V, special envoy to the Gulf Cooperation Council; Paul Villaluz, director II of the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration;

Rodolfo Encabo, director IV of the social welfare department; Irene Garcia, member of the board of directors of the Power Sector Assets and Liabilities Management Corp.; Jofrey Cadunan, member of the Philippine Halal Export Development and Promotion Board; Mona Ampaso, provincial agrarian reform program officer II; and Sheila Aquino, prosecutor III of the Davao del Norte National Prosecution Service. – With Edu Punay