Duterte fires corrupt budget official

By Roy Ramos ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines (AA) – President Rodrigo Duterte on Thursday revealed that he sacked yet another high-ranking government official over corruption allegations.

“Didn’t I tell you I do not like corruption? I just fired the Undersecretary of DBM (Department of Budget and Management,” said Duterte during his speech at the 43rd Philippine Business Conference and Expo.

“He was lucky because there were so many people. I wanted to slap him. I even stood up to… I wanted to kick him on the face. I fired him for corruption," he added.



The president already hinted on the official’s plight last Wednesday but did not elaborate further, refused to name him in public saying he does not want to shame the family.




When asked about the details of the president’s latest dismissal, Budget Secretary Benjamin Diokno confirmed to local media that Duterte was referring to Gertrudo de Leon, who was appointed by the president himself as the department's undersecretary for legal, a position responsible in overseeing legal and legislatives matters, particularly coordinating matters pertaining to the national budget to the office of the President.




As a fulfilment to his promise during the campaign to stop corruption in the Philippine government, Duterte has axed several state employees including his appointees and close allies.




In February, the president fired his campaign spokesman who he appointed as chief of the National Irrigation Administration amid accusations of receiving money from labor groups.




He also sacked the Interior Secretary in March over a questionable purchase of firetrucks.




He also removed at least 92 employees from the Customs, Internal Revenue, Land Transportation Franchising and Regulation Board, Energy Regulatory Commission, and the Land Transportation Office.