Duterte hails ex-peace adviser Dureza's delicadeza

President Rodrigo Duterte on Wednesday said he appreciated the gesture of resigned presidential peace adviser Jesus Dureza to assume full responsibility over the corruption issue hounding his office.

The President on Tuesday said he fired Ronald Flores, undersecretary for Support Services and national program manager of the Payapa at Masaganang Pamayanan (PAMANA), and Yeshter Donn Baccay, assistant secretary for Support Services and PAMANA Concerns for corruption.

Both offices are under the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process or OPAPP.

Following the President’s announcement, Dureza released a letter addressed to Duterte, saying he took responsibility and that he resigned “to pave the way for the needed reorganization” that the chief executive may wish to implement at OPAPP.

"[I]t runs into billions kaya siguro si Jess [Dureza], under the principle of command responsibility, whether you really know about it or not, you have to assume full responsibility," Duterte said in a speech in Tubod, Lanao del Norte.

"I like the show of delicadeza. It’s good. You honor yourself with a kind of behavior."

Earlier in the day, presidential spokesperson Salvador Panelo said Dureza's resignation "has set a concrete example and put a true meaning to the value of delicadeza and morality in governance."

"This is leadership by example,” Panelo said in a statement.

Dureza served the country, particularly under the Duterte administration, by helping the President walk that “extra mile in advancing peace for the good of our nation and all Filipinos,” the Palace said, expressing its gratitude to the former presidential adviser.

Duterte said Dureza had not asked for another government position following his resignation. — BAP, GMA News