Duterte on gov’t-wide corruption probe: Many will lose their jobs, go to jail

President Rodrigo Duterte said Monday that he expects many government workers to lose their jobs, face prosecution, and go to jail after he ordered a widespread probe into allegations of corruption hounding his administration.

In a briefing on the government’s typhoon response, Duterte read the names of several government officials tagged in corruption.

“Itong mga corruption, maski sinong administrasyon ‘to. Nandiyan na e, gaya ng PhilHealth. Long before itong mga tao na ito na dumating diyan, nandiyan na ‘yan,” he said.

The Chief Executive read the names of executives of the embattled Philippine Health Insurance Corporation, Department of Health, and Bureau of Immigration who were allegedly involved in corruption. 

Among the names he mentioned were those of PhilHealth executives Arnel de Jesus, Renato Limsiaco Jr., Shirley Domingo, as well as Dr. Roger Tong-An of the DOH Administration and Financing Team.

“Ang masakit sa taumbayan ‘yung alam nila na may pera na dapat para sa kanila, in this case, the assistance, tapos walang dumating at somebody goes out to embezzle or abscond with the money. ‘Yan ang masakit,” Duterte said.

The President also reported that in the Bureau of Customs alone, 135 personnel are under investigation, 45 were charged with administrative cases, 20 were dismissed, and four were suspended.

Some 40 people involved in the “pastillas” scheme have also been identified.

“The next round will be by December. Many will lose their jobs. Many will be separated from government. Many will face prosecution. Many will go to jail,” Duterte said.

“Sabi ko noon, ‘Kung mahilig ka sa pera, papakain ko talaga sayo.’ Tingnan ko… ‘Yan ang style ko. It is not nice. It is wrong. It could even be a criminal act, but just the same, I’ll do it.”

Duterte, however, has spared other officials whose agencies have been mired in corruption allegations. His Health Secretary, Francisco Duque III, has faced a Senate resolution seeking his resignation for "failure of leadership" amid the COVID-19 pandemic and House committees' recommendations that he face charges over supposed corruption at PhilHealth.

On Monday Duterte even expressed renewed confidence in Duque.

“Ang nahalata ko dito is the surveillance and the vigilance in keeping track of possible outbreaks. I like that… that’s why I cannot find any plausible or even a meager argument for your suspension,” he said.

Duterte has also vouched for his Public Works Secretary Mark Villar as being "above corruption," even after he accused Department of Public Works and Highways staff of involvement in illegal activities.

“Secretary Villar is an honest man. Not only that he is honest, he has money. May pera siya. I do not question his integrity or loyalty. If not, nandito pa ba siya sa cabinet? Meaning to say that kailangan ko siya. I need his expertise, his talent,” he said.

Duterte earlier ordered a Department of Justice-led task force to probe corruption in the entire government.  — BM, GMA News