PRESIDENT Rodrigo R. Duterte told the business sector Thursday night that he is willing to leave Cabinet meetings to hear out any corruption issues that investors may bring up.

Speaking late Thursday at the 45th Philippine Business Conference and Expo (PBC&E) at the Manila Hotel, Mr, Duterte encouraged his audience to bring any corruption concerns to his attention.

“I may not know all of you but I’m sure that you know one or two or three na may contact mo, ‘Kilala mo ba ‘yan si Rodrigo?’ ‘O ‘di sabihin mo nga may reklamo ako sa kanya,’ (I am sure you all have contacts who can get word to me about any complaints you have about corruption)” Mr. Duterte said in his speech.

“And I will give you the space. I will even cut a Cabinet meeting just to hear you out,” he added to applause.

In attendance were Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry President Ma. Alegria S. Limjoco and Chairman George T. Barcelon, Trade Secretary Ramon M. Lopez and PBC&E Chairman William S. Co.

Mr. Duterte called on the business sector to cooperate in his bid to end corruption, a key part of his platform before taking office in 2016.

“I cannot succeed no matter how, even if I fire or dismiss every day as I did, as I’ve been doing for the last so many months ‘pag hindi kayo tumulong sa akin (if you don’t help me)“ he said.

His remarks follow the forced resignation of Pedro A. Aquino as president and chief executive officer of the Philippine National Oil Corporation-Exploration Corp. over an unauthorized Russian deal.

“Here is a guy who prepared a contract with the Russians and the Russians thought that… that was all there is to it… He wanted now the board to ratify what he prepared,” Mr. Duterte said, instead of obtaining prior board approval.

According to reports, Mr. Aquino signed a memorandum of agreement without seeking the approval of the board, which is chaired by Energy Secretary Alfonso G. Cusi.

At the same speech, the President cited the PCCI, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources and the Natural Resources Development Corporation for their partnership agreement.

“The environment is a priority under my administration. Business should not only comply with all environmental rules and regulations but shall also take part in taking care of the environment,” he said, without disclosing details about the agreement.

He encouraged businesses to also build more disposal sites for waste as well as treatment facilities. — Charmaine A. Tadalan

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