MANILA—President Rodrigo Duterte on Sunday warned that he will fire corrupt government officials who withhold 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," Duterte told reporters at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 2.

"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.

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.

"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?"

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

• Duterte creates anti-corruption body

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.