PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte hinted Wednesday that he would soon fire another government official over corruption allegations.
The President made the pronouncement at the turnover ceremony of China's military aid to the Philippines held in Angeles City, Pampanga.
Duterte did not mention the name of the official or the alleged offense committed but said he will fire the official in the coming days.
"I am about to fire somebody from here if it is proven that he asked for money. There's an official here whom I will fired. In a few days, I'll fire him," Duterte said.
This was not the first time Duterte announced to the public his intent to remove his government officials who figure in corruption.
In March, Peter Laviña was sacked as administrator of the National Irrigation Administration (NIA) amid accusations that he is pocketed money from NIA funds.
The President had said he asked Laviña, his former campaign spokesperson, to vacate his post.
Laviña's forced resignation was followed by Duterte's decision to remove Interior and Local Government Secretary Ismael Sueno and Undersecretary Maia Chiara Halmen Reina Valdez from office.
Duterte mentioned Sueno and Valdez in his previous speeches.
On Wednesday, the President reiterated his warning to government workers to avoid corruption under his term.
He said he would not hesitate to fire them, if proven that they are involved in irregularities within their respective government posts.
"You avoid graft and corruption because that is the very thing that has pulled us down all throughout the years," the Chief Executive said.
"I will not hesitate to fire you, even if you have been there for the last 25 years. Avoid corruption during my time because I will never countenance it," he added. (SunStar Philippines)