Pres. Duterte tells Cebu businessmen: I will get rid of corruption

President Rodrigo Duterte on Thursday vowed to pursue a relentless campaign against corruption as he inducted into office the new set of officers of the Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI) at Waterfront Hotel Mactan here.

 . (Photo: TOTO LOZANO/Presidential Photo)

LAPU-LAPU CITY, Cebu—President Rodrigo Duterte on Thursday vowed to pursue a relentless campaign against corruption as he inducted into office the new set of officers of the Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI) at Waterfront Hotel Mactan here.

In his speech before several Cebuano businessmen, Pres. Duterte again made a promise to weed out corruption in the bureaucracy.

“I am committed really to just give a respite to the Filipinos for the many years of suffering under corrupt almost in succession governments,” Duterte said.

“I am not saying that I would be able to erase all but I kept those promises to the barest minimum,” he added.

The Chief Executive stressed that corruption has been pulling the country down as well as problems on illegal drugs and criminality, which he also pledged to address during his term.

He said he would not tolerate any form of corruption in his government and he would not hesitate to fire officials in his Cabinet even those who are close to him should they be involved in corruption.

“As I have said to my Cabinet members and to those appointed by me in government, the first whiff of corruption or suggestion, maghiwalay-hiwalay na tayo,” he said.

The President again reminded all government agencies about his directive of processing permits in only one month.

He reiterated that there is no longer room for indolent government officials in government and that people should report about them.

“I’ll file a case against you. I will direct the DILG to file corresponding charges, misdemeanor, abuse of authority, whatever,” he said.

He added that he would encourage his Cabinet officials to address pressing problems in their agencies immediately and not resort to procrastination.

“Hindi ako nagbibilang ng buwan dito. Madali lang ang panahon. Six years is just too short to (get all things done),” he said.

The President also asked support from the chamber saying that he could not solve the country’s problems without the help of the private sector.

The newly elected officers were led by Melanie Ng, executive vice president of Ng Khai Development Corporation, who was reelected to her post as president leading one of Cebu’s largest organization of businessmen until 2018.

In her opening statement, Ng pledged to help the administration with its various advocacies towards achieving inclusive growth.

“It is the thrust of the chamber to bring business to the next level. We can only do this if private sector collaborates actively with government,” she said.

Other members who took oath before the President were Antonio Chiu, vice president, Finance and Administration; Teodoro Locson Jr., vice president, External Affairs and Relations; Virgilio Espeleta, vice president, Business Development; Christian Paroan, vice president, Membership Development; Ronald Po, treasurer; Atty. Tomas Riveral, secretary; Jimmy Chua, assistant treasurer; Francis Dy, assistant secretary; and Charles Kenneth Co, chairman of Cebu Business Month 2017.

The President also inducted into office the members of the Board of Trustees including world renowned industrial designer Kenneth Cobonpue, Enrison Benedicto, Edward Vincent Onglatco, Robinson Uy, Benjamin Avila, Edwin Ortiz, Dionisio Miranda, Manuel Pages, Benedict Que, Rey Maximo Eleccion, Robert Go, Chad Rodolfo Miel, and May Elizabeth Ybañez.

Founded in 1903, CCCI is a non-stock, non-profit organization of businessmen, merchants, professionals and entrepreneurs based in Cebu and the nearby provinces.

The chamber’s mission is to strengthen the capabilities of its members through advocacy, linkages and synergy moving towards global competitiveness of Cebu and its people.