Stressing that combating corruption in the country depends on a functioning justice system, Senator Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan urged the Filipino public to remain vigilant against an abusive judiciary that allows government and elected officials to escape accountability.
“This is not just a corruption issue. This is also a judiciary system justice issue. Mas malawak pa nga. Totoo may mga abusadong pulitiko, pero bakit hindi napaparusahan? Andiyan din ang pananagutan ng hudikatura,” he said in a radio interview on Friday, January 16.
The senator, who chairs the Senate Committee on Justice and Human Rights, lamented how some public officials in the past have been allowed to walk scot-free from plunder charges.
“Lahat tayo galit sa kurakot na pulitiko. Lahat tayo galit sa kurakot na public works pero nung inabswelto yung ilang mga nakasuhan ng plunder dati, para wala tayong galit sa mga mahistrado kasi ang puno’t dulo nito ay sa huwes mapupunta lahat ito. So, dapat bantayan natin,” he said.
While quick to clarify that his remarks by no means aim to vilify members of the judiciary, he called on Filipinos to be watchful of their actions
“Nung mga nakaraang mga absweltong kaso, sino ba yung mga huwes na iyon? Bakit hindi sila kilala? Bakit walang pangalan?,” Pangilinan asked.
“Pag pulitiko, kapag nasa public works, kilalang kilala, pero yung mga nagaabswelto sa mga hudikatura, hindi natin alam. So, dapat talaga maging vigilant ang ating mga kababayan at ang media sa hudikatura. Maging mapagbantay,” he added, quoting Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla, who said that corruption is also prevalent in the judiciary.
The senator also urged the Supreme Court to make corrupt and abusive members of the judiciary accountable by dismissing them, pointing out that this sends a clear message that abuse of power will not be tolerated.
He made these remarks after questions on the Department of Justice’s (DOJ) announcement that former Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) undersecretary Roberto Bernardo and ex-DPWH Bulacan District Engineer Henry Alcantara are now state witnesses in the government’s investigation of the multi-billion-peso flood control controversy.
Earlier, the senator filed a bill to create the Congressional Commission on the State of the Philippine Justice System to review and address gaps in the Philippines’ justice system.