MANILA – President Rodrigo R. Duterte, who steps down from office in three days, stated on Monday that corruption cannot be eradicated.
“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.
Davao City mayor-elect Sebastian, his son, was among the local officials who took their oath.
“It is hard to stop the corrosive effect of money upon the person,” Duterte added.
Duterte has previously described corruption as endemic.
Duterte stated during his sixth and final State-of-the-Nation Address (SONA) on July 26, 2021 that the only way to eradicate corruption is to overturn the government completely.
He stated that his successor could only alter the system by declaring martial law and firing “everyone” in government.
However, Duterte said his administration has taken significant strides in eradicating corruption in government.
Due to alleged corruption, Duterte has fired several officials.
He previously named officials from the Bureau of Customs, Bureau of Immigration, and Department of Public Works and Highways as having been sacked for alleged corruption.
Duterte directed the Department of Justice in October 2020 to head a mega task force that would investigate all government agencies hounded by corruption allegations.
His administration also established a Citizens’ Hotline and Complaints Center to handle complaints against corruption and red tape.
