Duterte to fire 64 ‘erring’ Customs officials, employees

Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, July 11)— President Rodrigo Duterte on Thursday said he will fire 64 Bureau of Customs (BOC) officials and employees linked to corruption.

“I will relieve them of their duties as yet they not ousted or dismissed because of their right to be heard,” Duterte said in an impromptu interview with reporters during the official loan signing ceremony for the Malolos-Clark Railway Project. “But pinatanggal ko na sila sa trabaho ngayon (I ordered their relief) to prevent further damage sa government interests.”

Duterte, in an earlier speech, said he will charge these officials if they do not resign their posts. He later on clarified that it is up to the Ombudsman to file cases against them.

The chief executive added he has summoned these officials—who have yet to be named—to Malacañang.

“I will be asking them to report here. From the sources I have commissioned, I would have cut corruption by a third or 1/2. Most of them ‘yung nandyan (are there),” he added.

His spokesperson Salvador Panelo earlier in the day confirmed that a number of high-ranking officials in the Bureau of Customs are on “floating status” and will face dismissal over corruption allegations.

“Nandyan 'yung corruption, kita mo 'yang sa Customs oh. Biglang ubod ng dami. From what I gathered, mga 72 yata 'yung tatanggalin niya. Either 72 or 62, 'di ko malaman ang exact number. Ganoon kadami. Mahigit 50. Ganoon karami ang involved sa corruption. Ilalabas na lang ‘yan lahat ni Presidente,” Panelo told reporters.

[Translation: There’s corruption, look at the Customs. Suddenly, there are a lot of employees who engage in these activities. From what I gathered, it’s about 72 or 62, I’m not sure of the exact number. More than 50. That’s how many people are involved in corruption. The President will disclose that at the right time.]

“Floating muna sila, floating. Kasi they have pending administrative and criminal charges,” he added.

Panelo said Duterte will disclose the names of the “erring” officials “at the appropriate time.”

The spokesman clarified that Customs Commissioner Rey Guerrero is not covered by the order.

“Ang pagkakaalam ko, may nagsumbong kay Commissioner Guerrero and inimbestigahan niya,” Panelo said.

[Translation: From what I’ve gathered, someone told Commissioner Guerrero (about corruption claims) and he investigated it.]

The President earlier this week hinted at the possible firing of more government officials, particularly in the Customs bureau.