President Duterte To Suspend Local Gov’t Officials Delaying Business Permits Release

President Rodrigo Duterte on Sunday, November 12, warned that he will suspend corrupt government officials if he is not satisfied with their explanation and he sees a deliberate intent to delay the processing of business permits for micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs).

“I will suspend any local government official and especially yung appointed by me. ‘Pag nakita ko na pinapahirapan niyo or you allow corruption to thrive in your locality, then I will order the new secretary of the DILG (Eduardo) Año, to investigate, give you about 3 days to explain,” President Duterte told reporters at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 2.

President Duterte said Cabinet officials are only given a month to either approved or reject papers.

“Eh kung one month na nga ang Cabinet eh, lahat ng papeles nasa kanila, why can’t a new business venture go ahead with the least worry of the routine business permit?” the President said.

“Again I reiterate my warning to the cabinet members: one month palabasin mo, either you deny it or state it clearly why or do not hang on to the papers. Or I will just – you know give me a reason to doubt your integrity and honest and I will fire you,” he added.

President Duterte said corrupt local executives and cabinet members hinder the growth of the economy by delaying the issuance of business permits for MSMEs.

“When you go into graft and corruption, even sa local level, yung business permit to open an opportunity for investment, for as long as they hang on to the papers, documents for their approval at inabot ng minsan 6 months, naghihintay lang ng pera,” he said.

President Duterte said he wants to improve the ease of doing business in the Philippines.

“Okay tayo, we’re one of the fastest growing economies but I want to hurry it more. And the only way to do that is yung nakalagay na ease, maluwang ba doon to get the papers to start the business?” he said.

The President last month signed an executive order creating the Presidential Anti-Corruption Commission in a bid to rid government of corrupt public officials.

Under Executive Order No. 43, the commission shall directly assist the President in investigating and/or hearing administrative cases primarily involving graft and corruption cases against all presidential appointees.

Source: ANC