MANILA – President Rodrigo Duterte has told
Chinese businessmen in Beijing to personally report to him if they encountered trouble
with corruption while setting up businesses in the Philippines.
During the Philippine-China Business Forum on Friday, the President said that
he will not condone corrupt practices in government offices that handle foreign
businessmen entering the country.
“Part of your hesitancy before was that because the Philippines was a corrupt
country and not a peaceful one. I’d like to reassure you that during my term, I
will not allow corruption,” Duterte said.
“If you go to the Philippines, or with any agent there, come to me for any of
your problems,” the President added.
President Duterte has also told the Chinese businessmen to identify to him if
they encounter a Filipino official who will try to extort money in exchange for
issuing business permits.
“If you encounter, or your agents, or your lawyer will tell you ‘This official
is asking for something like this, you just tell me and I will call that
official, whoever he is, in my office and in your presence,” Duterte said.
“I will tell the official to eat the money and swallow the coins,” he added. “I
have done it several times. Perhaps I will do more until the bureaucracy of the
Philippines behaves.”
President Duterte is currently in Beijing following his bilateral talks with
Chinese President Xi Jinping last Thursday. It was the Philippine President’s
fifth visit in China./PN
