A ‘mega prison’ for convicted grafters in government and a six-month litigation period for corruption cases could fulfill the hope of millions of Filipinos to see an honest, efficient and trustworthy government.
Senator Emmanuel “Manny” Pacquiao, PROMDI aspirant for president, said these are the actions he would take if given the chance to lead the country.
Pacquiao, who is currently barnstorming areas in Mindanao to personally express his message, said he expects corrupt government officials to either resign or end their wayward acts if there is certainty of punishment following a quick and fair trial.
During a press conference in General Santos City, the country’s boxing hero said convicted corrupt officials should serve their sentence in a “mega prison” exclusively for them.
The head of the PDP-Laban Pimentel Wing also vowed to strongly pursue judicial reforms especially in the fight against grafters.
"Bawal ang corrupt sa bansa natin. Dapat three to six months tapos na ang kaso para magsama-sama ang mga corrupt sa kulungan (The corrupt have no place in our country. Cases should be resolved within three to six months in order that all the corrupt will be locked up in a prison made for them),” he said.
In a separate interview, Pacquiao said he will see to it that the accused will have their day in court even as if his proposal to limit period of litigation is implemented.
He noted that despite the hundreds of billions of pesos in government losses to corruption, it makes many wonder why the rate of conviction is very low.