AFTER the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) officials did not heed the call to resign from their posts after alleged corruption, President Rodrigo Duterte warned to scrap the office and will not allocate budget if they remain seated.
Duterte, upon his arrival late Wednesday evening at the Davao International Airport, kept his stand and was firm in his order for ERC officials to resign as they are hindrance in his pursuit of a clean and corrupt-free government.
"I demanded they all resign. Kung ayaw ninyo, madali lang yan [If you don't want to resign, I have an easier way]. We will abolish the office. I will not grant a single centavo," he threatened the officials.
The President claimed that based on intelligence reports, corruption is rampant in the ERC. He was bothered by the supposed large number of consultants hired by ERC officials.
On the same day, ERC Chairman Jose Vicente Salazar said he is not stepping down and eyes to meet with the President first to clarify the allegations and sought for a probe.
"I want to talk to him. My conscience is clear, but when I talk to him, I don't want my discussion with the President to be premise on those things (allegations of corruption)," Salazar said.
The President reiterated his stand against corrupt officials.
"All allegations of corruption shall be dealt with seriously and severely," telling government workers to be content with their salaries. "Do not make government as a milking cow."