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Philippine Duterte fires interior secretary over loss of trust, confidence

Xinhua, April 4, 2017 Adjust font size:

Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte dismissed the Department of Interior and Local Government Secretary Ismael Sueno due to loss of trust and confidence, presidential spokesman Ernesto Abella said Tuesday.

Abella said the announcement was made at the end of the 14th Cabinet Meeting that was held in Malacanang on Monday night.

Abella said Sueno had been instrumental in convincing Duterte to run for president in the 2016 election, but this did not deter the president from pursuing his drive for a trustworthy government by addressing issues like corruption.

"The president had earlier asked a few questions of Mr. Sueno but 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," he added.

Duterte on Sunday announced that he will be dismissing an official in government over alleged corruption charges but declined to give details.

The Philippine president said he fired 92 government officials, including those he asked to resign quietly from their posts, in March due to alleged corruption.

Among those who resigned amid allegations of corruption was former National Irrigation Authority head, and former campaign spokesman of Duterte. Endit