Former Senate President Franklin Drilon on Saturday, November 29, emphasized that a deep-rooted “culture of impunity” continues to fuel massive corruption in the Philippines.
In an exclusive interview on dzRH's Special on Saturday, Drilon said that both government officials and ordinary citizens have grown unafraid of the law, arguing that the justice system’s persistent failure to hold wrongdoers accountable has allowed impunity to thrive.
“Ito ay culture of impunity, itong (pagtingin ng ating) sambayanan ay medyo hindi na takot sa batas, ibig sabihin eh balewala na sa kanila, nangyayari ito dahil wala nang nakukulong dahil sa sistema ng hustisya," he said.
He added that those in power seem unafraid to commit wrongdoing since they rarely face consequences.
“‘Yung mga nasa kapangyarihan ay hindi po natatakot na gumawa ng katiwalian. ‘Yun ang aking tingin ang dahilan ng lahat ng ito,” he said.
"Mabigat ang problema, hindi agad mabigyan ng solusyon, ngunit pwede pong umpisahan ngayon o sa nakaraang buwan, ipakita natin sa taumbayan na mayroon tayong batas na pwedeng sundin," the former SP added.
Drilon called on the public to remain vigilant and continue pushing for transparency, especially as demonstrations are expected.
“Ang mga rallies bukas ay dapat iparamdam sa mga tao sa pamahalaan na dapat ituloy itong imbestigasyon at ipaliwanag sa taumbayan kung ano ang nangyayari. Hindi po pwede makalimutan ito,” he stressed.
The former Senate leader also recalled corruption controversies during previous administrations, including the Pharmally scandal under former president Rodrigo Duterte, and claimed that the lack of accountability continued under the current administration of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.
“Remember, noong nakaraang administrasyon ng Pangulong Duterte, ano ang nangyari, mayroon tayong Pharmally scandal, iba't-ibang uri ng katiwalian na nangyari," he recalled.
"Ito po ay nagpatuloy sa administrasyon ni Bongbong Marcos na dahilan na wala namang nakita ang taumbayan na naparusahan. May mga naparusahan, nakalabas naman,” Drilon noted.
Meanwhile, Drilon said that he will join protesters at the EDSA People Power Monument for the Trillion Peso March tomorrow, Sunday, November 30.
