AMID HIS anti-corruption drive, President Rodrigo Duterte on Monday, July 23, vowed to be ruthless against public officials who are riddled with issues of corruption.

"Time and again, I have said that corruption must stop. Corruption is like a leech that it bleeds the government funds, program infrastructure and social development projects. It sucks the moral of the dedicated and honest government workers," Duterte said in his third State of the Nation Address.

The President said he would take necessary steps to get rid of government executives who continue to defy his order to avoid corruption.

"Corruption destroys those who succumbed to its temptations, and eventually, it is the innocent who will suffer," the Chief Executive said in his nation address.

"Stolen work does not make the thief respectable. One day, justice will catch up with those who steal government funds. And when the day comes, it will be the public who will have its retribution," he added.

Duterte's campaign promise to clean up and improve the government has prompted him to go after officials suspected of graft and corruption.

The President's crackdown on corruption in government has caused the dismissal or resignation of around 29 public officials.

But since he assumed office, most of the alleged corrupt officials have gone unpunished, while six have been re-appointed to new government posts. (SunStar Philippines)