Duterte fires Customs official in front of colleagues

MANILA, Philippines — President Rodrigo Duterte on Wednesday sacked a Customs official in front of his colleagues at the Bureau of Customs for taking too many trips abroad.

Speaking at a BOC event, Duterte announced that he has fired Noel Patrick Prudente, deputy commissioner for management information system and technology group, due to excessive travels.

Among the destinations that the president said Prudente went are Singapore and Europe.

Duterte has fired officials in the past such as former Urban Poor commissioner Terry Ridon, Maritime Industry Authority administrator Marcial Amaro, Development Academy of the Philippines president Elba Cruz, among others, for questionable foreign travels.

Those who have been fired, however, are not otherwise held to account. No cases have been filed against them.

“We’re all being monitored. Customs is the purgatory of government service,” Duterte said. 

The president said that the sacking of Prudente would cut short the agony of the House of Representatives, which is investigating him for corruption.

“I’ll make it easy for the Congress. I’m firing him effective today,” Duterte said.

Prudent was fired the same week as Rudolf Philip Jurado, the former government corporate counsel.

Last week, Duterte axed Railways Assistant Secretary Mark Tolentino for allegedly having dealings with his sister.