President Duterte Tells Cabinet Members: “Resign if you don’t like my policy.”

President Rodrigo Duterte on Monday told his Cabinet officials that they are free to quit their respective posts, if they do not like the administration’s policy.

In a statement, Presidential Spokesperson Ernesto Abella said the President relayed the message to the Cabinet members through Cabinet Secretary Leoncio Evasco Jr.

“It is our duty to defend the dignity and integrity of the Filipino people. If Cabinet members cannot agree with the President’s policy, they are free to resign,” Pres. Duterte said as quoted by Evasco.

This has developed after Vice President Leni Robredo resigned as chairperson of the Housing Urban and Development Coordinating Council.

President Duterte said he accepts Robredo’s resignation with a “heavy heart.”

Furthermore, Abella said that during the meeting, Evasco explained that President Duterte personally appointed Cabinet officials, thus has the prerogative “to withdraw the same for reasons known only to him.”

“Cabinet members accept the appointment with the implicit agreement that they agree with his program, platform and policies,” Evasco said.

“While there may be matters they take issue with, these are to be handled consensually because it is vital for the Cabinet to be united,” he added.

Source: Sunstar