President Rodrigo Duterte on Sunday has warned corrupt local government officials that he is closely monitoring their behavior amidst the coronavirus pandemic.
In particular, Duterte urged barangay captains to refrain from ‘acting like gods’ in their barangays.
“You are just a human being. I’m sure that you know nothing or little at all about governance if you are there into corruption,” he said in his televised public address.
The president also warned them, “I just want the graft and corruption stopped and the parties involved in that corruption be prosecuted—be the mayor, the city council, or the barangay captain,” he said.
“It’s time that you really work. Isauli mo sa tao ‘yung honor na ibinibigay nila sa inyo — ibinigay ninyo at ibinigay sa inyo ng tao . You work. Strictly enforce ang quarantine, lalo na ‘yung lockdown,” he directed local government officials, adding that they should release the necessary papers such as ordinances within three days or face charges.
“I’m telling you now, kayong mga municipal, city—or I do not know if the provincial board is included — ‘pag hindi ninyo inilabas ‘yan beginning today, I’m going to give you exactly three days, report to the [Department of the Interior and Local Government], city, provincial, ibigay mo doon and for the DILG to inform Secretary [Eduardo] Año, ‘yung boss nila, na submitted na,” he said.
He warned that they may face prosecution if they failed to comply immediately.