Sueno fired from DILG post

Interior Secretary Ismael Sueno was fired by President Rodrigo Duterte during a Cabinet meeting on Monday night.

A Malacañang source initially told GMA News that the directive was issued during a Cabinet meeting, days after an argument broke out between Sueno and other officials.

Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II, meanwhile, confirmed the news during an interview with GMA News' Arnold Clavio on Unang Balita.

Aguirre said the Cabinet meeting opened with the topic on allegations against Sueno.

"Sa umpisa pa lang po ng Cabinet meeting eh yun ang aming nabuksang topic ng ating pangulo. Pero afterwards alam naman po nating lahat inannounce niya na parang terminated na si Sec. Sueno because of some allegations," he said.

Presidential spokesperson Ernesto Abella also confirmed that Duterte has dismissed Sueno.

"President Rodrigo Roa Duterte has dismissed Department of Interior and Local Government Secretary, Mr. Ismail Sueno, citing loss of trust and confidence," Abella said.

He said Sueno's dismissal was announced at the end of the 14th Cabinet meeting.

Later at a press briefing on Tuesday, Abella said Duterte questioned Sueno about the acquisition of Austrian fire trucks, which was approved in the previous administration.

"There was no accusation, there were just questioning," he said.

"The President was asking, did the Secretary, good Secretary… Did the Secretary travel abroad to this particular place? And did he know the background of it --- of the actual situation? And more or less along that line. He’s… The President seemed to just be interested in establishing whether or not the Secretary had actually engaged in certain activities," Abella added.

He refused to give more details, but said the public deserves to know in time.  

A warning

Abella said Sueno's summary dismissal "served as a warning that Mr. Duterte would not countenance any questionable or legally untenable decisions by any member of the Cabinet. "

"The Secretary had, in fact, been instrumental in convincing the President to run for election, but this did not deter the President from pursuing his drive for a trustworthy government by addressing issues like corruption," he added.

Duterte hinted in a speech on Sunday in Cagayan de Oro City that he will fire another government official.

"In due time, I'm going to dismiss another official, Pu— ina, ang titigas talaga ng ulo," he said.

Memo vs. Sueno

A confidential memorandum sent to President Duterte alleged that the DILG secretary had abused his position. Sueno denied the claims.

In a statement last month, Sueno expressed readiness to be replaced as DILG secretary.

"We serve at the pleasure of the President. It is within his power, wisdom and discretion to appoint members of his Cabinet," he said.

“With the information being floated about the change at the helm of the DILG, I take no offense whatsoever. It is business as usual for me as I dispense my duties and functions with the blessings of President Duterte,” he added.

A former South Cotabato governor, Sueno was appointed to the top DILG post in 2016. He was also a vice presidential candidate under the Promdi political party in 1998.

Sueno is the second Cabinet member of Duterte's administration to leave his post.

Last month, Perfecto Yasay was replaced as Foreign Affairs secretary after his appointment was rejected by the Commission on Appointments due to questions about his citizenship.

Yasay is also close to Duterte.

Also last month, Duterte's campaign spokesperson Peter Laviña quit his post in the National Irrigation Administration after being accused of asking kickbacks from the agency's contractors.

Will not affect anti-drug campaign

Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Director General Ronald dela Rosa, meanwhile, refused to comment Tuesday on Duterte's decision to sack Sueno from the DILG.

"No comment muna ako," Dela Rosa said in a press conference Tuesday, but added that the development will not affect the PNP's campaign against illegal drugs.

Dela Rosa also said he is leaving it to the president to appoint Sueno's replacement.

Sueno has yet to reply to text messages and calls.  —with Amita Legaspi/Trisha Macas/BAP/ALG/KBK/RSJ, GMA News