Duterte: Corruption still very much alive, widespread

President Rodrigo Duterte said Tuesday corruption is “still very much alive” especially in local governments.

“The corruption is still malawak, talagang malawak. And even in the local governments, mas grabe. Sabihin ko sa inyo. And it’s the very thing that is really pulling us down: corruption... corruption is still very much alive,” Duterte said in a speech during the 68th National Security Council and 69th National Intelligence Coordinating Agency founding anniversary rites in Pasay City.

Duterte had vowed to reduce corruption to the barest minimum under his watch.

At least 37 officials either resigned or were fired by Duterte amid allegations of irregularities or failures, data from GMA News Research show.

However, 11 were given new positions in government and only two are facing plunder charges in court.

Opposition Senator Paolo Benigno "Bam" Aquino IV said there was  "double standard" when it comes to the reappointment of sacked officials, while former Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno said these officials must face charges if only to avoid perception that their dismissal could just be a form of publicity.

The Philippines' rank also slipped to 117th last year from 101st in the 2016  Transparency International Corruption Perceptions Index. Last year's survey involved 180 countries. —LBG, GMA News