Duterte fires Cabinet member over alleged wrongdoing

He is the highest official to be removed from office over alleged wrongdoing, though Duterte has fired a number of lower-ranking officials in other government agencies. (Photo: KARL NORMAN ALONZO/Presidential Photo)

MANILA, Philippines –Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte sacked his interior secretary and close political ally amid reports of alleged corruption in what his officials said Tuesday was a warning that he would not tolerate any wrongdoing even in his Cabinet.

Presidential spokesman Ernesto Abella said Duterte announced the dismissal of Interior and Local Government Secretary Ismail Sueno at the end of a Cabinet meeting late Monday after asking him some questions, citing loss of trust and confidence.

Sueno was in charge of local governments and the national police, making him among the most powerful Cabinet members. He has denied any wrongdoing in the past but has yet to speak on his dismissal.

“The summary dismissal served as a warning that Mr. Duterte would not countenance any questionable or legally untenable decisions by any member of the Cabinet,” Abella said in a statement.

Sueno was among political allies who convinced Duterte, a longtime mayor of southern Davao city, to run for the presidency last year “but this did not deter the president from pursuing his drive for a trustworthy government by addressing issues like corruption,” Abella said.

Duterte, 72, won last year’s elections on a wide margin on a promise to fight crimes, particularly illegal drugs, corruption and terrorism. Since he took office in June, Duterte’s anti-drug crackdown has left thousands of suspects dead, alarming Western governments led by the United States and the European Union and U.N. rights officials.

Sueno had a reported rift with his three undersecretaries, who accused him of corruption, shielding a politician linked to illegal drugs, and other wrongdoings. Abella said the president checked those accusations before he decided to dismiss Sueno.

He is the highest official to be removed from office over alleged wrongdoing, though Duterte has fired a number of lower-ranking officials in other government agencies.

It’s not clear if Sueno will be formally investigated and possibly prosecuted.