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‘SIGURADO YAN’

Duterte says he will clean up gov't before term ends


President Rodrigo Duterte said on Saturday night that he was aware of the activities of corrupt officials in the Philippine National Police, the Armed Forces of the Philippines, and in the government in general, but he was nonetheless determined to clean up government before his term ended.

"At totoo 'yan [corruption allegations]. We will not deny that. It's true. And we will not renege on our duty to put it down," said Duterte, who was at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport, on his way to an official visit to South Korea.

The President, perhaps hinting at the "full blast" methods he would use to solve the matter, expected protests from human rights and civil liberties advocates.

"But we will deal with the problem, with more industry... more vigor," added Duterte.

"But all [our efforts] geared towards our sacred oath and promise, lahat, pati 'yung police, pati 'yung military, we have that sworn duty, a sacred one, to protect the people and preserve the nation. And I will do it, we will do it. And it will be during our time. Sigurado 'yan," he said.

Duterte also said that his anti-corruption drive was a continuous effort, and he was perhaps the best equipped to see it through to the end.

"Corruption is hard to stamp out. But I have, maybe, a little more than what is required. We will clean up government. I assure you," said the President.

Duterte has been constantly sacking government officials over corruption allegations. Among the officials he had fired were Presidential Commission for the Urban Poor chairman Terry Ridon, National Irrigation Authority Administrator Peter Tiu Laviña, Dangerous Drugs Board Chair Dionisio Santiago, and Department of the Interior and Local Government Secretary Mike Sueno.

Last May, Duterte accepted the resignation of Tourism Secretary Wanda Teo over the P60-million ad placement of the Department of Tourism on her brother’s program on state-run PTV.

Later in the month, actor Cesar Montano resigned as chief operating officer of the Tourism Promotions Board over the P80-million funding of the Buhay Carinderia culinary tourism project.

Duterte, however, has resisted calls for him to fire Solicitor General Jose Calida over government contracts secured by the Calida family's security agency. —DVM/KG, GMA News

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