Former Senator Gringo Honasan stressed that corruption in the Philippines is not the fault of the current administration alone, but a long-standing problem that has persisted for generations.
“Hindi ito kasalanan o pananagutan ng kasalukuyang administrasyon lamang. Mula’t sapul pa, maliit pa tayo nang una tayong namulat, nangyayari na ito. Ngayon, flood control. Nakaraan, kalsada,” Honasan said during a Zoom interview on the program Special on Saturday (SOS).
The former senator underscored that corruption has become systemic and cultural, pointing to recurring issues in public works such as infrastructure and flood control projects.
“Pwede na iyan, hayaan mo na iyan, aregluhin mo na iyan,” he said
Honasan urged Filipinos to reflect deeply on cultural habits that continue to fuel inefficiency and the misuse of public funds.
He noted that the recurring cycle of neglect and mismanagement points to deeper, systemic problems in governance, issues that cannot be resolved overnight.
On mass protests in the PH
When asked about public protests of Filipinos against the government, Honasan expressed encouragement at seeing citizens choose to stage peaceful and lawful demonstrations.
"Natutuwa ako sa ating mga kababayan, ito kasi ay lantaran, may rally, kilos-protesta, legal, may timeline, panahon, matapos ang ilang oras ng pagpapahayag ng ating saloobin, kung hanggang doon lang ang permit ninyo, huwag na tayo makaperwisyo," he said.
He also commended the police for allowing rallies to proceed so long as they do not disrupt public order or cause harm.
"Pero ngayon, sa aking pagkaintindi, pati ang kapulisan natin na huwag ninyo masyadong busisiin, basta hindi makasagabal sa traffic, walang maperwisyo, hayaan ninyo, para lantaran. Mas mabuti na iyan, kaysa patago na nagpupulong-pulong natin ang mga kababayan, ang mga sinasabi nilang nagpaplano ng kung ano pang option pa," Honasan added.
He likewise commended the police for respecting these gatherings, provided they do not disrupt public order or endanger public safety.
Honasan called on Filipinos to continually ask themselves how the country has reached its current state, stressing that awareness and vigilance from the people are critical.
“Itanong natin sa ating sarili, papaano ba tayo humantong sa ganito? nang sa ganoon, taumbayan ang magsabi at magpaalala sa ating pamahalaan kung ano ang nararapat na gawin," he pointed out.
He also suggested that a review of existing laws and possibly even the Constitution may be necessary.
"Marami ang nagsasabi, mayroon tayong 1935 Constitution, tinatanong ko ang mga legal na may kaalaman dito. Ano ba ang kailangan gamitin natin para mabago natin ang Saligang Batas, 1935, 1987 Freedom Constitution, 1973 Constitution, ano ang sasandalan natin? Iyan ang mga inaasahan ko na magiging bunga ng mapayapa at legal na pagpapahayag ng kalooban sa ating mga kababayan," he said.
"Ang kahihinatnan nito ay magdagdag sa stabilidad ng ating bansa, itong pinagpala nating Pilipinas, hindi lalong makagulo," the former senator added.
On addressing public fatigue with corruption scandals, Honasan warned against surrendering to hopelessness.
"Kung pabayaan natin ito, mapagod tayo, at dumating ang panahon na hindi lamang tayo, kung buhay pa tayo sa panahong iyon, mga anak natin, mga apo natin, malagay sa alanganin dahil sa ating kapabayaan, dahil napabayaan natin ang mga dapat nating gawin, sa tingin mo ay makokonsensya tayo?" he said. "Habang mayroon pa tayong kakayahan, lakas ng pag-iisip at pangangatawan, hanapan pa rin natin ito (ng solusyon). Pero hindi tayo dapat mapagod, mawalan ng pag-asa, dahil kapag nawalan tayo ng pag-asa, iyan na ang katapusan ng Republika ng Pilipinas."
Honasan reminded Filipinos to recognize how these practices have taken root over generations, stressing that the public must remain vigilant and united in pressing for genuine, lasting reforms.
