(Eagle News) — President Rodrigo Duterte said on Tuesday that he fired then-Department of the Interior and Local Government Secretary Mike Sueno because he “did not like his answer” when asked about the questionable firetruck deal the DILG had entered into.
“Last night I fired a Cabinet member in a full Cabinet meeting because I did not like his answer because it was a plain lie,” he said during the inauguration of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority’s crisis center in Guadalupe.
Duterte went on to explain how the firing happened.
“If you answer me with the statement that you never read the legal opinion of your own office (about that contract), it’s either you’re taking me for stupid or you’re lying through your teeth,” he said.
He said at that time, he “was really trying to avoid an embarassing (situation)…”
“But..when (Sueno) said (that)…I simply said you’re fired,” Duterte said, noting that he also blurted out an expletive.
“In that case, you might leave the room. I am dismissing you. You’re fired,” he added.
Duterte made the revelation hours after Sueno released a statement denying the corruption allegations against him.
Sueno is accused of having facilitated the purchase of firetrucks from Austria that were more expensive than from local sources.
This contract–which was forged when Jesse Robredo was interior secretary– is the subject of a pending petition before the Supreme Court.
Sueno is also alleged to have accepted money from gambling lords, of owning a hotel in Mindanao, and of acquiring vehicles for his own business.
Although Sueno accepted Duterte’s decision, he said he wished the President had “validated” the information given to him first before passing any judgment.
“But, for the record, Mr President – and I can say this with all honesty and sincerity – hindi po ako corrupt (I am not corrupt),” Sueno said.
“Maawa kayo sa Pilipino”
In his speech, Duterte also reiterated that he would “stop corruption.”
He said “anybody can go to my office and complain.”
“You are not deprived of the opportunity to air your grievance, ” he said.
He noted that the hotline 8888 was also “very important.”
He said complainants could text, bame the official involved, and name the amount being asked.
He said the reason why graft and corruption was generally everywhere was because “The Filipino (was) not assertive.”
“You have to assert your right. Pag hiningan ka, maski sino, pulis, (anyone in) government, (Land Registration Authority), sabihin mo lang. Use the language that would hit…Nagbabayad ako sa inyo and..Mayor Duterte has said that I will create a scene or a scandal..,” he said.
“Let’s stop this business of oppressing people and give them the respite for the years of corruption..Maawa kayo sa Pilipino,” he added.
