Duterte to officials: Observe delicadeza during foreign trips

MANILA, Philippines — President Duterte has reminded officials to have the delicadeza to refrain from overspending during foreign trips, warning them that he would not hesitate to fire those who abuse their positions. 

Duterte said officials who travel more than 20 times per year would be asked to quit as part of his promise to cleanse the government of corruption. 

“If you have exceeded something like 20 travels a year, I will ask you to resign. We cannot leave the country and waste money just to attend all those meetings,” the President said during the oath-taking of newly elected village officials in Laguna last Thursday. 

“And there are so many things that out of delicadeza we should have – even the smallest. Let us respect the people and not spend their money left and right just like that. So I hate all of these things because I do not do it,” he added. 

Duterte noted that he has fired several officials tagged in corruption. 

Among the officials dismissed over costly or unncessary trips are former interior secretary Ismael Sueno, former Presidential Commission on Urban Poor chairman Terry Ridon and his four commissioners, Development Academy of the Philippines president Elba Cruz, former Dangerous Drugs Board chairman Dionisio Santiago, former Maritime Industry Authority administrator Marcial Amaro III, customs deputy commissioner Noel Prudente and Philippine Health Insurance Corp. interim president Celestina Ma. Jude dela Serna.