Duterte lashes out PCSO Officials
“The PCSO is a corrupt agency...And you would notice, I’ve never appointed anybody there,” Duterte said at a Mindanao environmental summit held at Ateneo de Davao University.
“[To corrupt PCSO officials], I’d like to give you a warning: Do not F with me. I cannot pronounce the exact word, just the F and C. Don’t dare me. As President, I have the immunity from civil or criminal. If I lose my patience, I’ll call and shoot you,” he added.
Duterte issued the statement as he alleged corruption in PCSO continues.In July, PCSO chairman Ireneo Maliksi faced a graft complaint before the Ombudsman, stemming from the PCSO's extension of a lottery Equipment Lease Agreement with two firms after the contracts expired last year.
Complainant Anti-Trapo Movement of the Philippines claimed that Maliksi and other PCSO officials deprived the government the chance to procure equipment at prices most advantageous to government.
Also named respondents in the case were former PCSO chairperson Margie Juico, PCSO general manager Ferdinand Rojas II, and other five officials.
Duterte posed a challenge to Maliksi to "shoot" those who continue to pocket the agency's funds.
"I'm looking for a killer. Perhaps, it’s you, PCSO chairman. Can you do that? Shoot them all. You have my blessing," the President said.
"I tell you now, do not [continue doing illicit acts within the PCSO]… My past time is to kill bad persons. I don't waste my time [letting them do what is wrong]. I used to think of ways to help my countrymen."
Meanwhile, the President said the P35 billion annual profit of Pagcor will be used solely as medical assistance funds for the marginalized sector.
“Pagcor is earning something like P35 [billion or] P30 billion a year on the average… It will be used solely for the medical attention and medicines of the poor,” Duterte said.
The President promised to serve the poor and give them what they rightly deserve.
“So here, wherever there is inequality, it will be resolved in favor of the poor as against the rich because the rich have already money. If you cut their one business, they still have money at the bank. It is inexhaustible. But a person who has no medicine and money will die,” he said.