Duterte hits corrupt local officials, stop ”acting like God”

August 3, 2020

President Rodrigo Duterte has slammed local officials for "acting like God" as he warned them they would be sent to jail and dismissed from their office.

In a televised message on Sunday night, Duterte even introduced former Nueva Ecija prosecutor Danilo Yang, his former schoolmate, to be a member of the Presidential Anti-Corruption Commission, whom he ordered to go after erring local government officials, including the barangay captains.

"I'd like to introduce to you the ex-fiscal of Nueva Ecija, Danny Yang. We come from the same school. I need men not only in the matter of safeguarding and health of the people from COVID. There's always a graft here, graft there, there's really corruption here, corruption there," he said.

Duterte lamented the delay in the release of cash assistance under the Bayanihan to Heal As One Act.

He ordered Interior and Local Government Secretary Eduardo Año to coordinate with Yang in filing of charges against local officials who were involved in the irregularities in the distribution of the cash aid.

"I suggest that to save time, unless of course the Secretary, in his discretion, would rather hear them administratively. You know, you are a lawyer and the fastest way to do it is actually administrative proceedings," he said.

Duterte even said that he asked Ombudsman Samuel Martires to ensure that those local government officials involved in corruption be prosecuted.

"I am not asking for the neck of the innocents. I just want the graft and corruption stopped and the parties involved in that corruption be prosecuted, be the mayor, the city council, or the barangay captain," Duterte said.

He said the government would go after even those in the lower echelons of the government.

"I want barangay captains, the idiots and the lowlife in the lower echelons of government, they should - they should know that at least I may - I may not be really the best but I want to taste your agony and I want to taste your humiliation while I am here because you are a criminal," he said.

"So, to barangay captains, stop acting like God in your barangays. You are just a human being. I'm sure that you know nothing or little at all about governance if you are there into corruption," he said.

The DILG has filed complaints against several local government officials, including barangay captains, in relation to the distribution of cash aid to lower income families and vulnerable sectors affected by coronavirus disease pandemic.

Duterte has also given  local officials 72 hours to process all transactions, including the issuance of necessary ordinances.

"For the city councils now who are delaying the passing of ordinance, you say two months, two years, I am telling Secretary Año here, two years the paper is pending, it is graft and corruption. I do not know if the Provincial Board is included - but if you don't release that beginning today, I'm going to give you exactly three days," he said.

Telecommunication firms, such as Globe Telecom, earlier said that the processing of their documents for the installation of cell sites in various parts of the country has been hampered due to so may requirements and fees that the local government units have been asking.

Duterte earlier gave telcos up to December to improve their services.

"So the clock is ticking except on the days we do not hold office, I will count the 72 hours weekdays. Then for example if it has been there on Monday, then two to three days should be on Thursday. If you fail to do that, I am directing Fiscal Yang to file the case immediately with the department," he said.

Duterte also reiterated his call to the judges to refrain from issuing injunction on the executive's actions.

"I’ll really see to it that you are effectively suspended preventive --- suspended as a form of a punishment. But I would prefer that you would be dismissed immediately and the courts for not to interfere. I am not without understanding the situation that governs the separation of powers that I cannot also intrude into yours. But help me on this. As long as I am in the path of due process, please do not interfere. How? I… There might be an injunction or something," he added. Celerina Monte/DMS