Duterte to fire another government official upon return

PORT MORESBY — President Rodrigo Duterte announced on Friday that he would fire another official when he returns to the Philippines as part of his effort to cleanse the government of corruption. 

Duterte said he has dismissed several officials, including Cabinet members and people who persuaded him to run for president, because the country would not grow if corruption persists. 

"I said I (would) try to stop corruption. All. Two months early, I fired a Cabinet member during a Cabinet meeting for lying... I lost my cool because I should trust him. Even if we did not grow together, nobody would foist a lie like that," the president said during a meeting with the Filipino community here. 

"Since then marami na ako (I have fired several people). Until now and when I go back, meron na naman (another person will be fired). Talagang tanggalin kita, sorry na lang (I really have to fire you. I'm sorry)," he added. 

Duterte did not identify the official he would dismiss and the offense committed. 

The president has vowed not to allow even a whiff of corruption in his administration but some critics questioned the seriousness of his pronouncement after some of the dismissed officials were given new posts. Officials previously said the rehiring of dismissed officials was part of "presidential prerogative."

Duterte lashed at people who appeared to be "crusading saints" but who became involved in irregularities. 

"Many of my friends joined me even during the time when I was first elected mayor in 1988. Would you believe it? What pisses me off are those who told me 'Rod, you have to run because our nation is going nowhere. You would think they are the crusading saints of the country only to be the first to commit (wrongdoing)," the president said. 

Duterte said some officials lost their jobs because they were fond of unnecessary trips. He said some officials attended climate change conference in San Francisco, Johannesburg, Brazil and Australia even if it was not clear what would be accomplished from attending those events. 

"All those who traveled more than five times, leave," the president said. 
 
"Now, Cabinet members, everyone, they have to get a clearance... If we cannot understand each other with regard to the people's money, you leave," he added. 

Last August, Duterte revealed he considered resigning because he was tired of and exasperated by the corruption in government. He also complained about what he described as "embedded" and "endemic" graft in government transactions. 

Duterte later on claimed that his plan to step down was just an afterthought