Presidential Spokesman Harry Roque. The Nayong Pilipino officials sacked by President Rodrigo Duterte face possible life imprisonment if found guilty of graft or plunder charges, Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque today said.

On Monday Duterte sacked the entire Nayong Pilipino Foundation board over the onerous terms in the lease contract they entered into “for a ridiculously long period of time of 70 years.”

The Palace announced the sacking of the board as they were attending the groundbreaking ceremony held by Chinese casino operator Landing International Development Ltd. on an integrated resort and casino project.

“Well, that would possibly merit a life term because that’s graft. And, depending on the amount involved, it might be even be elevated to a case for plunder,” Roque said in a radio interview.

According to Roque, Duterte has ordered the review of the lease contract because he believes it was awarded without the benefit of public bidding.

Likewise, Roque noted that the project proponent is not registered with the Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) or the Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority (TIEZA).

“Had it been registered with TIEZA or PEZA and the property is idle, that lease contract may be considered valid. However, the President has been saying that he does not want more casinos in the country and yet this lease includes a new casino,” Roque said.

He said Malacanang expects the Office of the Ombudsman to conduct the proper investigation and the filing of appropriate charges against the NPF officials.

On its own, the Office of the Ombudsman is authorized by law to initiate investigations on alleged corrupt practices of government officials.

Former Supreme Court Associate Justice Samuel Martires was sworn into office as the new Ombudsman on Monday, starting his 7-year term as the country’ graft buster.