President Rodrigo Duterte addresses employees of the Government Service Insurance System during its 81st anniversary. President Rodrigo Roa Duterte called on employees of the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) to champion integrity, transparency, and accountability in their work during the 81st anniversary of the social insurance institution.

“Always embody integrity, transparency, and accountability in your work and never waver in your resolve towards a better and more progressive Philippines,” Duterte said in his speech.

The President likewise encouraged them to support his administration’s battle against the ills of the society.

“Most importantly, I call on you to remain one with us in the fight against graft, corruption and other ills of society that have long been hampering our growth as a nation,” he said.

The President underscored his campaign promise to “control corruption,” noting that he has fired a number of erring government officials.

“The first thing that I promised you was that I would try to control corruption. I’m still doing it until now. I have fired so many undersecretaries and secretaries and most of them, ‘yung mga minor, were then my companions in the city mayor’s office in 1988,” he said.

“It pains me deeply to do it, but I have warned them many times. ‘Never, never, ever [get yourself involved in corruption].’ And that promise, I’m doing until today,” he added.

The President stated that there would be more dismissals to come.

“And I don’t care if I — my whole term would be characterized by firing and dismissal of people from government. I really hate [corruption]. And give us — give the Filipino a respite from corruption,” he said.

GSIS was created and established to promote the efficiency and welfare of the employees of the government.

GSIS members are entitled to social security benefits such as life insurance, separation or retirement and disability.