Manila Bulletin
De Lima supports House measure disqualifying persons convicted of corruption from holding public office.
De Lima supports House measure disqualifying persons convicted of corruption from holding public office.
De Lima supports House measure disqualifying persons convicted of corruption from holding public office.
Published Aug 29, 2019 05:08 pm
By Hannah Torregoza
Senator Leila de Lima on Thursday expressed support to a House measure disqualifying persons convicted of corruption from holding public office, even while an appeal is pending.
Senator Leila de Lima
(MANILA BULLETIN FILE PHOTO) De Lima, a former justice secretary, said such measure would help eradicate corruption and promote transparency in government service. The senator said it is imperative that the government closes its doors to dishonest and corrupt officials and protect the people’s money from greedy individuals with vested interests. “We should strictly adhere to the tenet that public office is a public trust. Persons convicted of corruption – those whom we know will only abuse their office and pocket more taxpayers’ money – do not deserve to have a place in government,” de Lima said. “Hahayaan pa ba nating paswelduhin, gamit ang mga pinaghirapang buwis ng mamamayan, ang mga nagbulsa ng pondo at nagpakasasa sa mga ninakaw nila sa kaban ng bayan? (Do we have to pay the salary, using hard earned taxpayers’ money, those who pocketed the funds and enjoyed the money they stole from the government coffers?)” she asked. Samar Rep. Edgar Mary Sarmiento earlier filed House Bill No. 92, proposing to preserve “the sanctity of candidacy” for public office by amending Sections 12 and 68 of the Omnibus Election Code, and impose penalties including temporary or perpetual disqualification. Under the bill, Sarmiento proposed to instantly disqualify a potential candidate if he/she has been declared guilty either of graft, plunder, bribery and acts of terrorism. “With the rampant corruption in government especially under the Duterte regime, we need a law, now more than ever, that will prevent individuals with graft record to seek public post,” De Lima said. She also said the state should fully work in stopping corruption, even before such measure passes into law, by prosecuting and jailing thieves in the government, instead of freeing them or simply asking them to resign from their post. “As public servants, we should always be accountable to the Filipino people at all times. It is our duty to expose corruption in government and ensure that offenders will be held accountable for their crimes,” the detained lawmaker stressed. “Hindi naman dahil kaalyado natin ang isang opisyal ay magbubulag-bulagan na lang tayo sa pagnanakaw niya sa kaban ng bayan at puwede sanang gamitin sa mas makabuluhang proyekto, tulad ng rehabilitasyon ng mga komunidad na sinalanta ng kalamidad o pagtulong sa mga tinamaan ng malubhang karamdaman, (Just because an official is an ally, we will choose to ignore the way they steal public money. It could have been used for worthwhile projects, like rehabilitation of communities destroyed by a calamity or using the money to help those who are suffering from an illness),” she added. She said the challenge now for the Filipino public is to not allow unmitigated and unchecked corruption in the Duterte administration to continue to go unresolved. “Let’s continue to speak out against corruption and corrupt officials and not turn a blind eye on the abuse of power in the government,” said De Lima stressed.
Senator Leila de Lima(MANILA BULLETIN FILE PHOTO) De Lima, a former justice secretary, said such measure would help eradicate corruption and promote transparency in government service. The senator said it is imperative that the government closes its doors to dishonest and corrupt officials and protect the people’s money from greedy individuals with vested interests. “We should strictly adhere to the tenet that public office is a public trust. Persons convicted of corruption – those whom we know will only abuse their office and pocket more taxpayers’ money – do not deserve to have a place in government,” de Lima said. “Hahayaan pa ba nating paswelduhin, gamit ang mga pinaghirapang buwis ng mamamayan, ang mga nagbulsa ng pondo at nagpakasasa sa mga ninakaw nila sa kaban ng bayan? (Do we have to pay the salary, using hard earned taxpayers’ money, those who pocketed the funds and enjoyed the money they stole from the government coffers?)” she asked. Samar Rep. Edgar Mary Sarmiento earlier filed House Bill No. 92, proposing to preserve “the sanctity of candidacy” for public office by amending Sections 12 and 68 of the Omnibus Election Code, and impose penalties including temporary or perpetual disqualification. Under the bill, Sarmiento proposed to instantly disqualify a potential candidate if he/she has been declared guilty either of graft, plunder, bribery and acts of terrorism. “With the rampant corruption in government especially under the Duterte regime, we need a law, now more than ever, that will prevent individuals with graft record to seek public post,” De Lima said. She also said the state should fully work in stopping corruption, even before such measure passes into law, by prosecuting and jailing thieves in the government, instead of freeing them or simply asking them to resign from their post. “As public servants, we should always be accountable to the Filipino people at all times. It is our duty to expose corruption in government and ensure that offenders will be held accountable for their crimes,” the detained lawmaker stressed. “Hindi naman dahil kaalyado natin ang isang opisyal ay magbubulag-bulagan na lang tayo sa pagnanakaw niya sa kaban ng bayan at puwede sanang gamitin sa mas makabuluhang proyekto, tulad ng rehabilitasyon ng mga komunidad na sinalanta ng kalamidad o pagtulong sa mga tinamaan ng malubhang karamdaman, (Just because an official is an ally, we will choose to ignore the way they steal public money. It could have been used for worthwhile projects, like rehabilitation of communities destroyed by a calamity or using the money to help those who are suffering from an illness),” she added. She said the challenge now for the Filipino public is to not allow unmitigated and unchecked corruption in the Duterte administration to continue to go unresolved. “Let’s continue to speak out against corruption and corrupt officials and not turn a blind eye on the abuse of power in the government,” said De Lima stressed.