Philippines president Rodrigo Duterte has fired the head of the country's maritime authority due to "excessive foreign trips."
The Philippine Star cited presidential spokesperson Harry Roque as saying the services of MARINA administrator Marcial Quirico Amaro III have been terminated.
Roque said that Duterte had ordered an investigation into Amaro after MARINA employees complained he went overseas 11 times last year.
Department of transportation records showed Amaro actually went on six trips in 2016 and 18 in 2017.
The spokesperson stressed the firing is indicative of Duterte's resolve to stamp out corruption in government.
"They should live a modest life, ...they should be true to their calling, and...they should avoid unnecessary trips," he said.
New guidelines say foreign trips will only be allowed if the purpose is strictly within the executive's mandate, projected expenses are not excessive and it is expected to bring substantial benefit to the country.
