MOSCOW (Sputnik) — Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte has dismissed Interior and Local Government Secretary Ismael Sueno from his position in government over corruption allegations, the presidential spokesman said Tuesday.
"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… [Sueno] had, in fact, been instrumental in convincing the President to run for election. But this did not deter the President from pursuing his drive for a trustworthy government by addressing issues like corruption," Ernesto Abella said, as quoted by The Straits Times newspaper.
The sacking came just a day after three of Sueno's undersecretaries sent a letter to the president accusing the minister of corruption and abuse. The counts of corruption included expanding his hotel and rice businesses using government funds. The letter also said Sueno suspiciously used excessive funds to purchase Australian fire trucks and meddled in the work of anti-drug police units to prevent the persecution of a mayor.
Sueno supported Duterte's presidential bid last year and had previously served as a mayor and a governor. Duterte ran on a strong anti-corruption platform as well as promising to stamp out crime and drug dealers.
