Senator Panfilo Lacson. Photo from Lacson-Sotto media bureau
MANILA, Philippines — For as long as the country is not freed from the “vicious cycle” of money politics, citizens will remain stuck in a system where politicians spend millions for material favors to voters but in return get back their “political investment” by engaging in graft and corruption during their term, Sen. Panfilo “Ping” Lacson said on Saturday.
Lacson took to Twitter to express his frustration over the pervading political culture in the country, which prompted his resignation from his erstwhile party Partido Reporma.
“As long as ‘money politics’ dominates our elections, it will be a vicious ‘cycle of revenge’ between candidates and voters: voters having a field day during the campaign period and candidates exacting vengeance for three or six years of victory. Pitiful Philippines,” he said.
Lacson made the statement two days after he quit Partido Reporma after party leaders shifted their support to Vice President Leni Robredo due to his supposed failure to provide the P800 million in campaign funds for local chapters.
Lacson said he resigned from the party to reject “money politics” and stuck to his principles and integrity.
“If I were corrupt, I could have easily produced the P800 million the party’s officials asked. But I don’t have the guts to steal or accept bribes,” he said.
“Nothing can ever change my principles and tarnish my integrity. This fight is not just about me and the present. It is about our country’s future,” he added in a tweet.
According to Lacson, concern for the future of the Philippines and of Filipinos, which entails voting for the most qualified leader — not “money politics” — should determine the outcome of the coming May 9 elections.
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