Kiko Pangilinan

To our distinguished guests and resource persons, magandang umaga po sa kanilang lahat.

We are convening this Subcommittee J on Finance Hearing to hear the Judiciary budget. I have been tasked to defend the Judiciary budget for the 2026 budget debates and I’m thankful for your presence. It is interesting and ironic that as the Judiciary presents its budget we are actually facing the largest corruption scandal that the country has ever faced. And ultimately, the rule of law, respect for the rule of law and justice is on trial as well. Our country is shaking from the massive corruption that has been exposed, and continues to be exposed and ultimately, the question is, and (are) among the minds of our people – and they have said this repeatedly: ‘Wala naman makukulong dyan. Puro imbestigasyon lang. Tulad nung mga nakaraang skandalo at corruption cases, wala naman nakukulong. O kaya nakulong na, pinakakawalan din naman.’

I cannot help but wonder, had those previous in favor of good governance, would we be facing the scandal, unprecedented trillion pesos scandal we are facing today? Ultimately, will we be able to punish the corrupt? Is the justice system capable of rendering justice and accountability? I pray and I hope that this will be the last of all corruption scandals in this country. It can only be achieved when the justice system itself and the judiciary will step up and render public accountability and justice. Are we punishing enough? Are we punishing swiftly? In the Sandiganbayan budget presentation and defense in the house, the Sandiganbayan has said that their conviction rate is 47%. 1 out of 2 cases end up being dismissed or un-acquittal. The other question is, of the 47% convictions, how long did it take to convict? What is the average shelf life of those 47% convictions? 15 years? 10 years? 20 years? In other words, in the end, all that was being heard on the other side of the hall – corruption scandals. Perhaps you were monitoring it, the district engineer of Bulacan has just admitted to providing 20-25% of hundreds of millions, if not billions pesos worth of flood control projects to top level officials of the land. How soon will the cases be filed? How soon will convictions happen? Will it take years? Again, or whoever is to be accused and tried in this particular (case), of course if there are appeals it will reach the Supreme Court, and in the meantime what happens?

Forgive me because I just came from there (Blue Ribbon hearing), sabi nga ni Senator Gatchalian mas exciting doon kaysa sa dito, pero sa totoo lang andito ang solusyon – ang strategic solution sa mga excitement doon ay nandito sa Judiciary (hearing).