(Eagle News)—Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade has sacked a high-ranking Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines official over alleged extortion.
In a statement on Sunday, Tugade said CAAP Airworthiness Inspector Rodolfo Moral has been dismissed for allegedly demanding money from a party in exchange for airworthiness certification.
“Walang puwang sa departamento ko at sa administrasyon ni Pangulong Duterte ang mga corrupt! Hindi alam ng mga gaya ninyo ang tunay na kahulugan ng serbisyo publiko,” he said.
According to Tugade, those who cannot be honest should just leave the service.
“Huwag niyo nang hintaying mahuli ko kayo dahil hindi ko kayo sasantuhin. One-strike policy tayo at habang nandito ako, hindi ko hahayaan na mamerwisyo kayo,” Tugade said.
CAAP Director General Captain Jim Sydiongco agreed.
“We want to send a strong message to everyone here in CAAP that we will not, in any way, tolerate corruption,” Sydiongco said.
The Department of Transportation noted that based on their initial investigation, Moral’s activities were “recurrent.”
“That is unethical and it should be stopped,” Sydiongco added.
Moral will face charges for violation of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act.