Lacson: Corrupt politicians should be held accountable, not idolized

FILE PHOTO: Senator Panfilo “Ping” Lacson presides over a hybrid public hearing in the Senate.
Senate PRIB file photo / Joseph Vidal

MANILA, Philippines — Senator Panfilo Lacson said corrupt officials should not be given a redemption arc and idolized as they should be held accountable instead for plundering public funds.

Lacson said a sense of accountability seemed to have been lost over time, noting that some Filipinos have already been desensitized by corruption issues involving public officials.

“’Yan ang nawala sa atin, ang accountability. Over time, nakasanayan natin na kibit-balikat tayo. Parang iniidolo pa natin ‘pag isang public official yumaman sa questionable na pinanggalingan,” Lacson said in an interview with ONE News PH on Monday night.

(We seem to have lost that sense of accountability. Over time, we have learned to shrug our shoulders over issues of corruption. Some of us even idolize the supposed public servants who got rich through questionable means.)

According to Lacson, who is running for president in the elections this May, the first step in combatting corruption is implementing a standard policy against erring government officials and restoring a culture of accountability.

“’Yan ang masakit ‘pag tinatawanan natin ang excesses ng government officials. Sa akin masamang indication ‘yan (It hurts to see us laugh off the excesses by some government officials. To me, this is a bad sign),” he said.

Lacson said that if he is elected president, he will waive his rights under the Bank Secrecy Act in a bid to promote transparency in government. He also pointed out that if the issue of corruption among government officials is solved, as much as 50 percent of the nation’s problems are solved.

He said he will also encourage his Cabinet members and bureau directors to likewise waive their rights under the bank secrecy law.

“Kailangan palitan natin ang mindset. Ang mindset manggagaling sa government, hindi pwede manggaling sa society at large (We need to change our mindset on accountability and only the government can lead the way),” Lacson said.

KGA