EP 28: Is corruption in gov’t worse under Duterte?

It began with the president attacking his own party-mate at his regular public address earlier this week, Duterte threw some wild punches at Senator Manny Pacquiao, who happens to be the acting president of his own PDP-Laban party. 

The president was ticked off by something Pacquiao allegedly said—his government is “three times” more corrupt than previous administrations.

We’re not sure if Pacquiao had indeed said such a thing.

But the president was furious just the same — remember this was the same president who claimed he won’t tolerate even a “whiff of corruption.”

But here was his own political ally suggesting he’s not getting things done. 

So Duterte challenged Pacquiao to name names and identify corrupt agencies.

If he couldn’t, Duterte said Pacquiao would be a liar and he would campaign against the boxer in 2022.

Never mind the political maneuverings within the ruling party which explain why Duterte is now attacking Pacquiao and Pacquiao throwing some counter-punches as well.

Duterte’s own daughter is being primed to succeed him and he himself, is open to running for vice president. problem is — Pacquiao also wants to be president.

But that’s a topic for another discussion. 

In this episode, let’s talk about corruption under Duterte. 

During the campaign in 2016, he  promised to be relentless against corruption much like he predicted he would end the problem of illegal drugs in 3 to 6 months. we know what happened there.

Now, less than a year before he steps down, has Duterte kept his promise or has corruption, in fact, only gotten worse under his administration?