PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte has reminded newly-elected local officials to fulfill their mandate to serve the people and distance themselves from any irregularities that may taint their reputation, Malacañang said on Wednesday, July 24.

Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo said the President made the advice during his meeting with local chief executives at the Manila Hotel on Tuesday evening, July 23.

"He told them that like them, he's a worker of the government and he expects them to (maintain) fealty to their oath of office," Panelo told Palace reporters in a chance interview.

Duterte met with mayors and governors a day after he delivered his fourth State of the Nation Address (Sona).

During his fourth Sona, the President directed Local Government Secretary Eduardo Año to suspend local officials who would defy the order to reclaim all public roads that have been used for private purposes.

Panelo said Duterte told the newly-elected mayors and governments about his policy that all workers of government should not be involved in corruption and illegal drugs.

"He repeated his fight against corruption. He [also] repeated that he doesn't want any mayor involved or any local official in the drug syndicate. And in fact, he reminded them of what happened to all the mayors involved," he said.

Duterte in his previous speeches, has repeatedly said that he would not tolerate any public officials who are involved in corrupt activities or have links to narcotics trade. (SunStar Philippines)