Senator Panfilo “Ping” Lacson warned against President Rodrigo Duterte’s remark that police officers may receive gifts as “it is not bribery.”
Lacson, a former Philippine National Police (PNP) chief said that such actions may lead to “insatiable greed” of policemen.
“Mr President, insatiable greed starts with simple, petty graft. It could be more addicting than drugs. There is no detox, nor is there rehab facility available for addiction to money,” Lacson said on Twitter.
Aside from the said remark, President Duterte also encouraged police and military officers to engage in any business including operating Small Town Lottery (STL).
In his speech during the 118th Police Service anniversary in Camp Crame, Duterte said that as long as it is above board, he has no problem seeing policemen and soldiers into business and gambling operations.
“I said you do not have any problem with me. If it’s a bidding, you participate, as long as it is not rigged in your favor and you secure it, complying with the laws, no corruption. I will not begrudge you. If you have friends who are millionaires and would finance a corporation and you’re an incorporator, I don’t see any reason why you should not be in that business,” Duterte said.
The president however warned police and military officers agains oppression or pressure just to win the franchise bidding.
Duterte added that, “part of your honor, delicadeza, ask yourself to be assigned somewhere where you are not operating or a participant or an incorporator of a corporation doing business in your area.”
