Duterte to 'pariahs' in govt: Don't expect me to be courteous

MANILA – President Rodrig Duterte warned government officials who are not heeding his call to submit their courtesy resignations to expect no courtesy from him.

In a speech in Malacañang, Duterte recalled that he had ordered the resignation of about 92 government officials who he considered to be “pariahs."

“I understand that 92 itong connected with the regulatory [agencies]. Basta may regulation. That’s what I hate about government intervening. The less the government will interfere in your affairs, the better,” he said.

“Itong regulation, pinakamarami, 92 of them were fired. I gave them the option of facing charges or more. Sabi ko mag-resign kayo. You have become the pariah of this government. Do not expect me to be courteous even to you when I see you there out.”

Duterte earlier issued a memorandum requiring presidential appointees to tender their "unqualified courtesy resignations".

However, not everyone heeded Duterte’s call.

Recently, the Palace reminded Commission on Higher Education (CHED) chair Patricia Licuanan that she was covered by Duterte’s memorandum.

Licuanan, who has a fixed term until 2018, was earlier told to cease from attending Cabinet meetings. She said she respects Duterte’s decision to ban her from the Cabinet meetings but will not quit her post.

With Duterte expressing his loss of confidence with the CHED chair, the commission’s executive director Julito Vitriolo, the highest-ranking career executive in the commission, asked for Licuanan’s resignation.

Vitriolo also urged the government to install an officer-in-charge for the commission.