Senator Kiko Pangilinan on Friday, January 16, called on the public to remain vigilant against an abusive judiciary that allows government and elected officials to escape accountability.
Pangilinan, who chairs the Senate Committee on Justice and Human Rights, stressed that fighting corruption depends on a justice system that works.
“This is not just a corruption issue. This is also a judiciary system justice issue,” Pangilinan said in a radio interview.
“Mas malawak pa nga. Totoo may mga abusadong pulitiko, pero bakit hindi napaparusahan? Andiyan din ang pananagutan ng hudikatura,” he added.
The senator lamented how some public officials in the past were acquitted of plunder charges and allowed to walk free.
“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.
He clarified that his remarks were not meant to vilify members of the judiciary but urged 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.
The senator echoed Ombudsman Jesus Crispin “Boying” Remulla’s statement that corruption is also present in the judiciary.
“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 said.
His remarks came after the Department of Justice (DOJ) announced that former Public Works Undersecretary Roberto Bernardo and former Public Works Bulacan 1st District Engineer Henry Alcantara are now state witnesses in the government’s probe into anomalous flood control projects.
Pangilinan urged the Supreme Court to dismiss corrupt and abusive members of the judiciary, saying this would send a strong message that abuse of power will not be tolerated.