Senator Kiko Pangilinan said there is no need for snap elections, as Filipinos want corrupt officials to be convicted.
Speaking at an exclusive interview at DZRH Damdaming Bayan on Thursday, October 9, Pangilinan emphasized that the public needs strategic solutions, and not just an exposé on corruption.
As Chairman of the Committee on Justice and Human Rights, the senator said they would also defend the judiciary’s budget. Recalling their hearing, he pointed out that the public is questioning why there are no convicted or punished people despite the calls for accountability. Moreover, he said that this would all depend on the judiciary.
“Dapat naman siguro magising-gising na sila dahil sabi ko nga ang corruption conviction rates ng Sandiganbayan ay 47%. Ibig sabihin wala sa kalahati ang napaparusahan. Ang tanong ng taumbayan, at talagang hinihiling, ikulong ang mga korap. Sino ang gagawa niyan sa huling banda? Ang hukom. Kaya hindi na pwedeng business as usual ang ating judiciary,” he explained.
“Mag ayos-ayos din po sila [Hudikatura] sana na huwag nang palampasin [ang] pinakamalaking kaso ng corruption sa kasaysayan ng ating Republika ito. Kaya dapat ang hudikatura, magising na at hindi na pwede ang dating gawi. Mag convict sa lalong madaling panahon [at] maumpisahan na itong paglilitis. ‘Yun ang hinihiling ng taumbayan, hindi po snap elections,” he added.
With this, Pangilinan said he will push for the three branches of government, particularly the Executive, Legislative, and Judiciary, to coordinate for a swift conviction process and trial in the country.
"Ang dulo nito, saan mapupunta lahat ng ito? Kung mabilis ang paglilitis, kung mabilis ang parusa, [at] kinukulong kaagad [ay] magkakaroon ng takot at magkakaroon talaga ng malaking kabawasan ng korapsyon sa ating bansa,” the senator stated.
The remarks came in response to Senator Alan Peter Cayetano’s call to conduct snap elections, describing it as a “clean slate” for Filipinos. The statement was made as an effort to gain public trust amid the growing calls for accountability for public officials.
