Duterte to Jurado: I do not need you

FILE: Another government official was sacked by President Rodrigo Duterte — this time it is Government Corporate Counsel Rudolf Philip Jurado. (RENE LUMAWAG/PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO)

Another government official was sacked by President Rodrigo Duterte — this time it is Government Corporate Counsel Rudolf Philip Jurado.

Speaking during the signing of two laws in Malacañang, the President said, “May I call the Government Corporate Counsel now. Are you in this [room]? Nandito ka (Are you here)? Kasi kung nandito ka lumabas ka, p***** i** mo (Because if you are here, get out. You s** of a b****).”

“You are fired. I do not need you and maybe you do not need me,” he added.

The Chief Executive fired Jurado for allegedly granting a gambling franchise to the Aurora Pacific Economic Zone (APECO), a task solely done by the Philippine Amusement Gaming Corporation (Pagcor).

“Kung hindi ka pa naman g*** (What a fool). So you are just like a PAGCOR operating an independent entity with the same powers na (that) you grant everything. Kung hindi ka t******** (What a fool),” Duterte said.

Jurado was earlier accused by officials in the Office of the Government Corporate Counsel (OGCC) of issuing a legal opinion which allows Apeco to issue online gambling permits outside the Aurora Economic Zone as long as it was within Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) territory.

“When you are granted a franchise to conduct gambling in a certain facility, it does not include farming out that franchise to other cities and provinces,” the President said.

“Kasi pagka ganun (If that is the case) then you can ramble on, following your theory, you can ramble on to give permits beyond the shores of Luzon and you can do it in Siasi, Jolo,” he added.

In a statement, Jurado said he accepts the President’s decision.

“I accept and respect our President’s decision. As an appointee who serves under his pleasure, I am honored to have been given a chance to serve under his administration,” Jurado said.

Jurado, who once served as counsel to actor Robin Padilla, was appointed in the OGCC in April 2017. He replaced Ireneo Galicia, who was an appointee of former President Benigno Aquino III.