NBI to conduct lifestyle check on government execs, workers

By Edith Regalado (The Philippine Star), October 29, 2016

DAVAO CITY, Philippines – On President Duterte’s orders, the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) will conduct lifestyle check on ranking officials and other government workers.

Duterte made the announcement upon his arrival at the Davao International Airport Thursday night from a three-day state visit to Japan.

“I think the NBI will be re-directed to investigate lifestyle check, corruption,” the President said.

He warned government workers of severe consequence if they steal taxpayers’ money to maintain their ostentatious lifestyle.

“And I would like to announce to all and sundry – I will be harsh. I will be harsh in dealing with the people in government or in the private sector dealing with government in a corrupt way,” he said.

The President said corruption among officials is pulling down the country. He noted the Bureau of Customs (BoC) and the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) were among the most despised state agencies in the country for their notoriety as centers of corruption.

Those in the BIR, the President said, commit graft and corruption by granting huge tax exemptions to the rich and the oligarchs.

He promised to strip corrupt officials of special privileges.

“No special privilege this time. No special privilege. If you’re in the government and have no money, don’t complain; take the economy class. And even if your office has money, still take the economy class,” he said in Filipino.

He also declared he does not want to see government workers inside casinos or gambling places.

“And I’m warning you there is a rule, it’s still in effect about seeing you in the casinos…,” he said.

“Corruption has to go, everything. And local governments are encouraged… I suppose that I do not have to take a stronger measure. I do not want to pick a quarrel with the local government’s executives, pero kung mayroon ka mang kasalanan (but if there’s infraction). Do anything there,” he said.

He reiterated his warning against government workers to never get into illegal drug trade, and that lives of Filipinos would improve in three years with the phase out of graft and corruption.

“I am very sure, I’m not talking as a politician or as a President, pag nagamit lang ito ng husto at wala lang graft and corruption ang buhay ng ating mga kababayan gaganda within the next three years. Sigurado ako niyan. Huwag lang kurakutin ang pera at talagang aakyat tayo,” he added.

No money for hiring

The President also said the government does not have the money to hire more workers, even those considered as contractuals or casuals.

“I have yet to buy the printing press that can print money plenty. In other words, at this time of our national development, we are not as yet ready to assume the burden of providing everybody with the salary that can compare with the – and even in the matter of managerial level,” the President said.

He also congratulated Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III for having made it possible for at least 16,000 contractual workers to be regularized by various private companies.

There have been complaints that thousands of those working in government are in contractual status.

“You know, it would be incongruity to discuss it fully. And you keep on asking why until now there are so many thousands of casuals in government,” he said.

He said the government provides employment to thousands. He said while the private sector employs hundreds, government’s workforce runs in millions.

He stressed that even he himself as the highest official in the land, received only P130,000 a month, which is considered meager compared to salaries of CEOs in private firms.

The President said the amount government workers actually receive as wages is giving him headaches.

He said government could not also afford to hire more workers or to increase the current wage levels.

“Hindi kaya ng gobyerno (The government can’t do it). As we progress, the state affairs also get to be bigger and more employees needed but our income – the Gross Domestic Product, that’s income actually of government, GDP, is not that good,” he said.