Former Senate President Franklin Drilon said on Saturday that public officials involved in corruption must face punishment for their crimes in order to restore Filipinos’ faith in the government.

“Dapat ipagpatuloy natin ang imbestigasyon, dapat maparusahan ‘yung nagkamali (na mga government officials). ‘Yan lang po ang paraan sa aking tingin, para maibalik ang paniniwala ng taumbayan sa ating sistema ng demokrasya,” Drilon said in an exclusive interview on Special on Saturday.

“Otherwise, pag hindi po natin naibalik ang tiwala, baka po magkakaroon tayo ng bagong EDSA at palitan na naman ang pamahalaan—wala nang katapusan. Tayo ay magiging banana republic, hindi na sinusunod ang batas at Saligang Batas,” he warned.

Drilon said he disagreed with the calls for President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s resignation.

“Hindi po personalidad kundi ang ating sistema. Wala po tayong sinasabing masama si ganito, wala pong mangyayari sa ganyan,” he told the news anchor.

Although the lawyer agreed that Marcos was on track to regaining the people’s trust, he said bigger systemic reforms—particularly in the justice system—were necessary.

“Yes, nasa tamang path ang Pangulo, ngunit mas malawak na pagbabago ng ating sistema ng pamamahala ang ating kailangan, lalo na ho sa ating sistema ng hustisya at sa ating pangkaraniwang kabuhayan,” Drilon said.

He explained that a “culture of impunity”—wherein those in power can commit wrongdoing without fear of repercussions—has persisted since the previous administration and continues under the current one, giving rise to the belief that there are two kinds of justice: justice for the rich, and justice for the poor.

“‘Yan po ay hindi maganda para sa patuloy na paniniwala ng taumbayan sa sistema ng demokrasya. At kaya po ‘yan ang aking panawagan, panawagan ng taumbayan sa aking tingin, at maging panawagan ng mga magr-rally bukas: ay baguhin ang sistema upang sa ganoon ay mas makakakita tayo ng malinis pamumuno at pamamahala,” Drilon said.