Duterte eyes punishing ‘lazy’ govt officials, calls them ‘swindlers’
No second chance.
President Rodrigo Duterte said Wednesday government officials who will be caught not working for full eight hours would be immediately dismissed from office.
MB FILE – President Rodrigo Duterte. (Jansen Romero) | Manila Bulletin
This came after Duterte expressed his frustration over the slow rehabilitation of the victims of typhoon Yolanda in Tacloban, Leyte last November, 2013.
“Galit na galit ako kasi three years after, ‘yan lang natrabaho ng government (I am really angry because this is only what the government has accomplished after three years),” Duterte said, referring to the slow rehabilitation of ‘Yolanda’ victims where only 28 families were relocated.
According to Duterte, he did not even try to hide his disappointment and frustration when he visited Tacloban during the commemoration of the onslaught of the super typhoon last November 2016.
“The problem with government is indolence. These people take for granted the people’s interest,” he said during the inauguration of the New Hope Village for the survivors of Typhoon Yolanda in Barangay Sta. Elena, Tacloban yesterday.
According to Duterte, there are government officials, particularly directors, who are not working for full eight hours but are seen going around malls, when it should have been their duty to expedite government transactions and projects.
“Saan ‘yung pera ng binabayad ng government [sa inyo] (The government pays you)? You’re supposed to work for eight hours! Bayad kayo niyan (You are paid)! If you don’t go back in the afternoon, sabihin niyo (you say) you are shortchanging the government. Actually it’s swindling! you’re swindling the government!” he said.
“We show the people of the Republic of the Philippines na karapatdapat tayo sa government (that we deserve our positions). Putang ina kung ‘di natin kaya, umalis tayo (If we can’t then let’s leave).”
Duterte recalled that when he ran for President, he assured the people that change would be coming. He said he don’t mind being tagged as a dictator since he was chosen by the people to lead the country.
“Diktador na kung diktador. Eh di maghintay kayo ng tamad na presidente (Call me a dictator all you want. Wait for a lazy president). But not during my time. Do not do that. I expect you to work for the people money’s worth,” he said.
Duterte said that what he wants for these type of government officials is zero tolerance and immediate dismissal.
He said he will give directors 15 days to do their job on the Yolanda rehabilitation, while government agencies like the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and the Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council (HUDCC) will be given 30 days.
“‘Pag ayaw mo (If you don’t want), I will charge you for neglect of duty, either simple or serious. I will charge you administratively, ‘wag na criminal kasi matagal (not criminal because that is a long process). I’ll suspend you, you can go to court. I’ll be happy to go to court,” he said.
He then asked the ‘Yolanda’ survivors to make five huge crosses, similar to where Jesus Christ was crucified, if they will not be relocated by March, 2017.
“Ipakarga ko sa kanila mag-ikot-ikot dito. Puta, ipako ko (I will make them walk around while carrying the cross. Then I will crucify them),” he said. ## (By Argyll Cyrus Geducos)
