THE names of a government official and several police officers, including three generals, who are facing imminent termination of service, will be revealed "very soon," Malacañang said on Saturday, January 13.
Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque Jr. said he could not reveal the identities of high-ranking official and policemen to be booted out, citing President Rodrigo Duterte's "reasons" to delay the announcement.
Roque did not elaborate Duterte's reasons but ensured that the President is eager to rid his government of corruption.
"Let's just say that a decision has been made, [concerning the public official and cops who will be fired]. There's a reason why it hasn't been announced but I will be announcing it very soon," he said.
"The President has his reasons. Let's leave it at that. What's important is, he is serious about his resolve to deal with the problem of corruption in government," the presidential spokesperson added.
Duterte announced on Thursday, January 11, that he would sack "this week" a "chairman of an entity in government" and a "set of policemen," including three generals, over corruption issues hurled against them.
Roque was initially scheduled to make public their names on Friday, January 12. He, however, failed to make such announcement as he was still waiting the President's approval.
During the Friday night's birthday bash of House Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez, Duterte did not disclose the names of government official and police officers who will be sacked but reiterated his stance to "stop" corruption.
"Now, I am the President. I will insist on corruption. It has to stop," said Duterte. "Because corruption is still there and I'm starting it with those guys who have been wasting money, going in and out of the country as if they owned the money and for nothing."
Duterte's fight against corruption has resulted in the dismissal of various public officials, including former Local Government Secretary Ismael Sueno, former National Irrigation Administrator chief Peter Laviña, and former Information and Communications Technology Secretary Rodolfo Salalima because of corruption issues.
The President has also fired Presidential Commission for the Urban Poor chair Terry Ridon, Development Academy of the Philippines president Elba Cruz, and Maritime Industry Authority administrator Marcial Amaro III because of their purported excessive foreign trips. (SunStar Philippines)