MANILA - President Rodrigo Duterte said he will be talking to lawmakers to have the "lowest bid" rule in government procurement removed, saying it is a source of corruption.

"Itong stupid rule ng lowest bid, gusto kong tanggalin 'yan. I have to talk to congressmen. Alam mo, 'yang lowest bid, it is the source of corruption sa gobyerno. Maniwala kayo," Duterte told local government officials Tuesday.

"'Yang lowest bid, tanggalin na 'yan. We should go for quality," he added.

Duterte will ask the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) to review and work on amendments to the government procurement law, Agriculture Secretary Manny Piñol earlier said.