PRRD reiterates call for public to report corrupt officials

By CHE PALICTE

November 23, 2019

CORRUPT OFFICIALS WARNED. President Rodrigo Duterte reiterates his call to the public to report government officials or employees who are engaged in corrupt activities, especially those asking for money in exchange for government services. Speaking at the opening of the Acacia Hotel Davao in Davao City on Friday (Nov. 22, 2019), Duterte conceded that the processing of documents in the government remains prone to corruption and that the public should help the government stamp out corruption. (Photo grabbed from PTV)

DAVAO CITY: President Rodrigo R. Duterte has reiterated his call to the public to report government officials and employees engaged in corrupt activities, such as demanding money for the release of certain permits or documents. 

Speaking at the opening of the Acacia Hotel Davao here Friday, Duterte said the processing of documents in the government remains prone to corruption. 

Some bureaucrats and government officials, he said, are still using their position to bilk money from the transacting public, especially investors who are trying to comply with regulatory requirements for their businesses. 

“They (investors) are afraid of venturing into business because these politicians ask for money. Sometimes they want to be partners. 

They demand money before you have the conversion or before they will approve or allow a certain project,” Duterte said. 

He also urged victims to come out into the open so that “they can even personally talk to me to address their concerns.” 

“You can come to Malacañang to complain. It is open 24 hours a day. You tell the guards to wake me up. I will call that official in your presence," he said. 

Duterte also advised the public to be assertive if they are being asked for something. 

Despite its admission that corruption is difficult to beat, the Duterte administration has established measures to discourage corruption in the bureaucracy. 

For instance, the President signed the Ease of Doing Business and Efficient Government Service Delivery Act of 2018 to further create an environment conducive to business. 

“We remain committed (to) enforcing measures to provide (a) conducive environment to encourage more business development. The government will pursue policies and programs to fight corruption,” he said. 

Noting that his term would end in two years, Duterte called on the "corruption victims" to come out so he could address the matter immediately. 

“I am a man in a hurry. I have only two years left,” he said. (PNA)