Amid the political maelstrom cloaking the country brought by the massive corruption in government, Senator Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan appealed to Filipinos not to lose hope and to continue speaking up against social injustices and abuse of power.
In an interview on DZRH on Thursday, Oct. 9, the senator acknowledged public frustrations over the corruption scandal that unfolded during congressional hearings.
“Sa ating mga kababayan, huwag tayong bibitaw. Kung talagang nais natin yung pagbabago, tayo mismo ang magsalita, tayo mismo (ang) kumilos, tayo mismo ay tumaya,” he said. “Sabi (nga) ng isang manunulat, ang pinakamainit na lugar sa impyerno ay nakareserba para doon sa mga panahon ng krisis ay nagwawalang-kibo.”
The senator and chair of three Senate committees—namely, the Committees on Agriculture, Food, and Agrarian Reform; Justice and Human Rights; and Constitutional Amendments and Revision of Codes—underscored the role of the people in pursuing change.
“Lahat tayo: krisis ang sitwasyon, ngayon ang panahon (para) tumindig, tumaya, makialam, at kumilos,” Pangilinan said.
“Naniniwala ako (na) pag taumbayan na ang tumataya, kumikilos, at naninindigan, diyan darating yung pagbabago na nais nating makamtan,” he added.
Earlier, the senator expressed his support for peaceful protests and demonstrations demanding justice and accountability that were held amid the multi-billion-peso flood control corruption involving government officials and private contractors.