Outgoing President Rodrigo Roa Duterte (File photo)
MANILA – With only three days left before he steps down from office, outgoing President Rodrigo R. Duterte on Monday said corruption cannot be stopped.
“Corruption is endemic. It cannot be stopped but it can be minimized," Duterte said in a speech during the oath-taking of local officials in his hometown Davao City.
His son, Davao City mayor-elect Sebastian, was among the local officials who took their oath.
"It is hard to stop the corrosive effect of money upon the person," Duterte added.
This is not the first time Duterte described corruption as endemic.
During his sixth and final State-of-the-Nation Address (SONA) on July 26, 2021, Duterte said the only way to eradicate corruption is to overturn the government completely.
He said his successor could only change the system if he or she would fire “everybody” in government by declaring martial law.
Duterte, however, said his administration has taken significant strides in eradicating corruption in government.
Duterte has fired several officials due to alleged corruption.
Previously, he named officials from the Bureau of Customs, Bureau of Immigration, and Department of Public Works and Highways as having been sacked for alleged corruption.
In October 2020, Duterte ordered the Department of Justice to head a mega task force that would probe all government agencies hounded by corruption allegations.
His administration also launched a Citizens' Hotline and Complaints Center where complaints against corruption and red tape are processed. (PNA)
