Duterte wanted to axe ‘top-level’ official on New Year’s Day — Palace

President Rodrigo Duterte had wanted to fire a top-level government official on the first day of the year, Malacañang said on Monday.

Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque, however, said he suggested delaying the announcement to January 3 instead.

"Pagdating doon sa laban sa korapsyon, nakita nyo naman po. Actually, dapat meron akong i-aanunsyo na sisibakin na naman. Ako na po ang nagdesisyon sa a-tres na ng Enero kasi gusto nga niya a-uno, 'I-announce mo, sibak na naman,'" he said in an interview on Super Radyo dzBB.

"Eh sabi ko, 'Huwag naman po, Mr. President. Pabayaan muna natin mag-happy new year 'yung sisibakin. Pagdating ng January 3 saka na natin siya sisibakin," he added.

Roque, however, evaded all questions regarding the identity of the official.

"Alam n'yo naman noong nakalipas na buwan, ilan na iyon no, merong DAP, merong PCUP, merong Sueno, merong Laviña... Isang tao na naman po ang sisibakin ni Presidente," he said.

"Aba'y siyempre [top-level]. Wala namang low-level na sinisibak si Presidente... Gusto niya na talaga mga mataba para magsilbing ehemplo. Walang maliliit na isda. Puro mga big fish ang ginagamit niyang ehemplo," he added. — BM, GMA News