Corrupt politicians should be jailed not idolized - Lacson
Corrupt politicians who have plundered public funds should pay for their crimes and do not deserve to be idolized by the people.
Partido Reporma chairman and presidential aspirant Sen. Panfilo “Ping” Lacson stood strongly against giving dishonest government officials, especially plunderers, a redemption arc, saying that they have to be penalized for their crimes.
Lacson, a staunch anti-corruption advocate, aired his position during an a television interview on Monday, Jan. 17.
He lamented the common observations that some Filipinos have already been desensitized by corruption issues involving public officials, who, in turn, feel emboldened that they keep getting themselves back in power.
“’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.(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.),” Lacson said.
The veteran senator’s has a long history of running after corrupt public officials and their cohorts who either end up in jail or in exile because of strong evidence gathered against them upon investigation.
In the interview, Lacson reiterated that the first major step toward fighting the never-ending problem of corruption is to implement a standard policy against erring government officials and restore a culture of accountability that we seem to have lost over the past six years.
“’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 noted.
Such loss of accountability has emboldened corrupt officials as well as contractors to engage in shady deals, especially involving multibillion-peso infrastructure projects.
"Kung walang accountability sa ganoon, mamimihasa sila (If there is no accountability, they will get bolder)," he said.
Lacson’s platform of government as president reflects his strong stance in fighting corruption in government.
He said corruption robs the people of a chance at a better life.
He said he has maintained a very strong anti-corruption advocacy ("Ubusin ang Magnanakaw") from his days as Chief of the Philippine National Police to his stint as Senator.