Duterte offers reward for info on corrupt activities in gov’t

President Rodrigo Roa Duterte presides over the 48th Cabinet Meeting at Malacañan Palace on October 12, 2020. The president called a meeting to discuss pressing issues and updates from government agencies. ALBERTO ALCAIN/ PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO

MANILA – President Rodrigo Duterte has offered a reward of PHP50,000 or PHP100,000 to anyone who could give him information on government officials engaged in corrupt activities.

In a taped public address aired Tuesday night, Duterte urged anyone to report anomalies within the government and they would receive a cash “prize.”

“Pakiusapan ko na lang ‘yung lahat. Kayong walang mga trabaho, kayong mga casual ilang taon na. All you have to do is to let me know and may prize ako (I’ll just make a request. To you, who have no jobs, who have been casual employees for how many years now. All you have to do is to let me know and I’ll give you a prize),” he said.

Duterte was referring to “ghost projects” at the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), which he previously tagged as among the “most corrupt.”

“Pagka mayroon kang malaki, if it’s a malaking sindikato, ghost project ni director p***** i**, I will give you PHP50,000. Ibulong mo lang, maski sino (If you catch a big syndicate, a ghost project of a director, I will give you PHP50,000. Just whisper it to me, whoever it is),” he said.

“Huwag kang magbigay ng pangalan. ‘Pag na ano namin na totoo, bantayan lang namin. Then I will allow it to ripen to a crime. Pagkatapos, kami na ang bibira (No need to give names. If we find out it’s true, we’ll wait. Then I will allow it to ripen to a crime. Afterwards, we will take care of it).”

The President vowed to keep the names of the informers anonymous for their safety and protection.

“Ibulong mo lang na niluluto ‘yan (Just whisper to me if they’re cooking up something), I’ll give you PHP100,000 and I will keep your identity secret until I reach my grave. Hindi ko kayo bubukuhin, hindi ko kayo ipapasubo (I will not divulge your identities. I will not put you in a tight spot),” he said.

Duterte also encouraged them to inform him if they were being harassed or threatened.

“At kung nalaman kayo, tapos hina-harass kayo, paalamin mo ako (And if they find out who you are and harass you, let me know). I will deal with the devil. Kaya kung inaano ka, tinatakot ka, paalamin mo ako (If they’re threatening you, let me know) I would be happy to make you happy. Okay?” he said.

Before making his offer, Duterte read out several names of government workers facing corruption allegations.

“Sa corruption, sinasabi ko naman sa inyo na galit ako talaga (When it comes to corruption, I told you it makes me furious) and I will not only investigate you. I will expose you to the public para malaman ng tao na niloko ninyo iyong gobyerno (so people would know that you’re fooling the government),” he said.

The named personnel were reportedly from the DPWH, Bureau of Immigration, and Local Water Utilities Administration.

Duterte said not only would administrative charges be filed against the alleged corrupt personnel but criminal charges as well.

“Itong mga (These charges for) dishonesty, grave misconduct, conduct unbecoming of a public official, ito administrative lang ‘to. Sa opisina ninyo, matanggal ka sa trabaho, suspendido ka (these are just administrative charges. You’ll be removed from office, suspended),” he said. “(But) it will not stop here.”

On Monday night, Duterte summoned erring immigration officials allegedly involved in the so-called “pastillas” bribery scheme and gave them a scolding.

According to Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque, the President reportedly asked them to eat the “pastillas” with rolled-up money “but did not insist out of deference to the Secretary of Justice (Menardo Guevarra) who was also present.”