PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte denied Thursday that he was "misinformed" on the corruption allegations against dismissed Local Government Secretary Ismael Sueno.
“I could never be misinformed. I am a lawyer, I will be misinformed? And when I make a move, when I fire you there, I know what I’m doing,” Duterte told reporters at the sidelines of his visit to Western Command at Camp Ricarte in Palawan.
Sueno earlier in the day said he believed that Duterte was “misinformed” about his alleged ties to gambling syndicates and his involvement in the "anomalous" purchase of fire trucks.
The President confirmed Tuesday that he fired Sueno during the Cabinet meeting held Monday night. Malacañang cited “loss of trust and confidence” in removing Sueno from the post.
A national group who campaigned for Duterte's presidency sent a "confidential memorandum" to the Office of the President, citing irregularities performed by Sueno.
Sueno, however, said he was merely a "sacrificial lamb" to set an "example" of Duterte's persistence to stamp out corruption.
The President then reiterated that he will not allow corrupt officials to occupy a seat under his watch and stressed that he is set to “fire more” in the government.
“I said, the first whiff, even if it is not true, you will be removed from office. There are many to replace you. We are not short of talent, [who are] bright and honest, [and] with integrity,” he said. (VoxPop Philippines)
