Duterte to fire over 50 Customs execs, workers for corruption
Credit to Author: CATHERINE S. VALENTE, TMT| Date: Thu, 11 Jul 2019 10:22:33 +0000
MORE than 50 officials and employees of the Bureau of Customs (BoC) will be next on President Rodrigo Duterte’s chopping block over alleged corruption, his spokesman said on Thursday, as the firing spree of corrupt public servants continues.
Speaking to reporters, Palace spokesman Salvador Panelo said the looming dismissal was in response to a complaint submitted to Customs chief Rey Leonardo Guerrero.
“From what I gather, mga 72 yata ang tatanggalin niya (around 72 will be removed) or will face administrative charges… Basta marami – mahigit singkuwenta (There are many, it’s more than 50 or), less than 100,” Panelo said during a press briefing.
“Nandiyan iyong corruption. Kita mo iyong sa Customs, biglang ubod nang dami (There is corruption. Look at how massive corruption is within the BOC),” he said.
The directive came a day after Duterte ordered the “freezing” of several high-ranking Customs officials and employees for “unlawful activities.”
“The President has directed the freezing of several high-ranking Customs officials and employees, whose names would be disclosed at the appropriate time, as they face administrative and criminal charges, for unlawful activities,” Panelo said in a statement late Wednesday night.
“The President’s latest action underscores this Administration’s zero tolerance on corruption among erring officials,” he said.
The Palace official said Duterte would “continue to dismantle corruption in the bureaucracy and rid it of corrupt officials and employees.”
“The anti-corruption campaign is continuing as it is relentless. No one will be spared,” Panelo said.
But Panelo said the unnamed Customs officials would be on floating status for the meantime, as he also clarified that Guerrero was not included in the President’s order.
He also confirmed that the President met with some Customs officials earlier this week but was not privy to the details of the meeting.
Last week, the President warned that he would fire several BoC officials over accusations of corruption.
Despite this, Panelo on Tuesday said that Duterte still trusted Guerrero.
Guerrero, a former Armed Forces chief, has been with the BoC since November last year.
In October 2018, Duterte placed all BoC personnel under “floating status” because of their supposed involvement in irregularities within the bureau.
The President also wanted the military to “take over” the BoC, in an effort to rid the bureau of erring personnel.
Duterte’s previous plan was strongly opposed by his critics, saying that a military takeover of the Customs bureau violated the 1987 Constitution.
Section 3, Article 2 of the 1987 Constitution provides that “civilian authority is, at all times, supreme over the military.”
However, Malacañang clarified that military personnel would not hold assignments or designations at the BoC.
The Palace said the soldiers would be effectively guarding the Customs employees to make sure that all operations were in order and all laws strictly enforced in all processes undertaken.
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