Pangilinan: Freedom means nothing if power is not held accountable

Photo from Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan’s Facebook page.

MANILA, Philippines — Senator-elect Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan marked the 127th anniversary of Philippine independence by saying freedom means nothing if power is not held accountable.

“Freedom is not only memories of the past but also duties to the present. It is our duty to ensure there is food on the table, jobs in every household, and justice in every corner of society,” he said in a statement on Thursday.

Transparency and institutional reforms

“And if we really are free, we must take a stand during trying times, times when our ability to hold people responsible and demand justice is being measured. Freedom means nothing if power is not guided by accountability,” he added.

Pangilinan’s statement came two days after the Senate, sitting as an impeachment court, returned the Articles of Impeachment against Vice President Sara Duterte to the House of Representatives.

READ: Impeachment court sends Sara Duterte case back to House

Duterte is accused of culpable violation of the Constitution, bribery, graft and corruption, betrayal of public trust, and other high crimes, particularly her alleged misuse of P612.5 million in confidential funds.

If the impeachment trial crosses over to the 20th Congress, which will convene on July 28, Pangilinan will sit as one of the senator-judges who will try Duterte./mcm/abc