Rody: ‘I am useless’

President Duterte said he is useless amid the still rampant crime incidents and illegal drugs use as he ordered yesterday the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) to conduct a thorough audit of local executives.

“If this is the case, I’m useless. I’ll ask you to join me. Let’s just resign,” Mr. Duterte said before newly elected village officials in Zamboanga del Sur late Tuesday night.

“I suggested to (retired) General (Eduardo) Año (who is the officer-in-charge) of the DILG to make an audit of mayors whose towns and cities have high crime rates and illegal drugs activities,” he said.

The DILG, in response, said the planned audit will cover local government unit (LGU) officials from governors to barangay chairmen to determine if they are performing their mandate as public servants and their funds are being spent properly.

“It is where in-depth investigation starts. The President also wants me to audit the confidential funds of local government officials, particularly the mayors, to determine where they spent their intelligence funds,” Año said.

“We will make an audit of their performance and how they spend also their resources in cooperation with CoA (Commission on Audit),” he added.

Mr. Duterte expressed his frustration over the results of a recent Social Weather Stations (SWS) survey showing around 1.5 million families have at least one member who fell victim to common crimes in the first quarter of 2018.

The survey, held from March 23 to 27, showed at least 6.6 percent of respondents were themselves victims or knew of a family member who suffered from a robbery or pickpocketing, break-ins, carnapping and physical violence in the first quarter.

The figure was lower compared to the 1.7 million families (7.6 percent) recorded in a similar survey conducted last December, but the number still did not suit the President.

“There seems to be a semblance of a republic and a nation, but inside, it’s topsy-turvy. It’s crime-ridden,” he added.

Mr. Duterte’s campaign for the presidency in 2016 was anchored on his vow to reduce, if not eradicate, incidents of crime and drug trafficking.

“He (Mr. Duterte) wants serious public service. If you run as a local government official, mayor, barangay captain or kagawad, it should not be for your own interest, your motivation should really be public service,” Año said in a broadcast interview.

“What is happening now is that some of those in position are advancing only their own interests. I think it’s about time that we give real service to our people,” he added.

Año said the audit will be part of DILG’s “Bantay Kaagapay” and “Bantay Korapsyon” programs in which complaints against local government officials relayed through Hotline 8888 are investigated.

“I am your supposed president, so I take care that all laws will be followed, what I have enforced, you should also have enforced in your own locality,” the President said.

Mr. Duterte was also indignant over the nonchalance of most local officials “against illegal logging, illegal drugs and crime in the municipality.”

“I can’t run this republic without you,” he added.

The President reminded barangay officials that he had warned governors and mayors in Malacañang the previous year that they had better shape up and stop their involvement in the drugs trade.

He cited reports some mayors involved in illegal drugs had ordered the killing of some police officers who are part of the massive anti-narcotics operations.

“I only have this to say to mayors who ordered policemen killed: “Kill him,” Duterte said.

Año said the audit will also cover local officials’ performance in addressing criminality within their areas.

“They are the ones who should be implementing national and local laws and ordinances. Peace and order is their job…they should be the ones who must initiate all actions in addressing crimes especially illegal drugs, including keeping streets safe,” Año said.

Año stressed the Philippine National Police and the Armed Forces of the Philippines would only support the efforts of local officials in terms of public safety and order and security.

During calamities, Año said local officials, particularly mayors, should be present at all times.

“My stern warning now to those mayors who are absent during calamities: we will suspend them,” Año vowed.

He added the move to arm barangay officials will undergo normal procedures in bearing firearms.

“We should qualify that, of course, there should be training. There will be parameters to be followed to qualify barangay captains to apply for firearms. We will help them provided they are documented,” Año said.

Mr. Duterte plans to arm barangay officials as self-defense against criminals.

“You work, I will give you firearms. But I want (to eradicate) terrorism and drugs and I will have an audit. And if you are not at par, I will file charges against you for incompetence. I don’t want to do it, but you have to defend the country,” he said.