Duterte threatens LGUs: Release paperwork in 3 days or face charges, be removed

President Rodrigo Duterte threatened local governments to release the necessary papers requested within a certain timeframe, else face charges, or be removed from office.

In a televised address late Sunday evening, Duterte said local governments should release papers within three days at the most.

"I'm telling you now, kayong mga municipal city or I do not know if the Provincial Board is included, 'pag hindi ninyo inilabas 'yan beginning today, I'm going to give you exactly three days to report to the DILG, city, provincial," he said.

"The clock is ticking, except on days we do not hold office. I'll count the 72 hours on weekdays. For example, it has been there on Monday, then two to three days should be on Thursday," he added.

In the same speech, Duterte ordered the courts to immediately file cases against local governments who do not comply.

"If you fail to do that, I am directing fiscals to file the case immediately," he said.

"Talagang I'll see to it you will be suspended as a form of punishment, but I would prefer that you be dismissed immediately and the courts are not to interfere," added Duterte.

It was not clear what Duterte was referring to, but he earlier ordered his Cabinet to employ the "most drastic measure you can find" to shorten the process for putting up cellular towers.

Just last week, during his State of the Nation Address (SONA), Duterte threatened to shut down dominant telecommunications firms Globe Telecom Inc. and Smart Communications Inc. if they failed to improve their services by December.

"Kindly improve the services before December. I want to call Jesus Christ to Bethlehem. Better have that line cleared," said Duterte.

In response, Globe said it will heed the order, as it noted that it has earmarked $1.2 billion for its capital expenditure this year alone.

For its part, the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) earlier released the guidelines for the common tower policy.

The planned common tower policy seeks to free telecommunications companies from costly capital expenditures in building communication towers. — DVM, GMA News