Senator Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan revealed on Monday, November 17 plans to propose a measure that would create a congressional commission to review and address the gaps in the Philippines’ justice system.

Pangilinan said this is to address the low conviction rate of criminal cases in the country, pointing to the shortcomings of the judiciary in convicting government officials who are involved in graft and corruption.

“We are filing a (bill on) Judiciary Congressional Commission on the State of the Philippine Justice System. Parang (It’s like) EDCOM II (Second Congressional Commission on Education),” Pangilinan said in an interview on ANC’s Headstart.

Pangilinan said the bill hopes to address the negative public sentiments about the government’s capacity to hold corrupt officials accountable.

“Ultimately—and I said this because this week, I will be defending the judiciary budget— unless we punish more and we punish swiftly, yung respeto sa ating mga batas ay magiging voluntary (respecting our laws will become voluntary),” Pangilinan said.

“That’s one step that the legislative branch can do. As chairman of the Senate Committee on Justice and Human Rights, we will sponsor that measure so that we have a Congressional Commission on the State of the Philippine Justice System,” the senator added.

Compared to Japan which has a 90% conviction rate and Hong Kong which has more than 80% conviction rate, the lawmaker noted the Philippines lags behind with only 47% conviction rate.

He also noted that the Sandiganbayan has approximately 5,000 unserved arrest warrants, with some cases remaining unresolved even after 40 years have passed. The average life of a case before it is resolved is four years, which is “too long.”

“So sa akin, sabi ko nga, the judiciary would have to embrace that they have unwittingly and by default, they have helped create the impunity that’s happening in the country, and therefore, should take stock,” he added.

“These are what we have to do to punish more and to punish swiftly so that people will be afraid. Now, no one is in jail. It's sad, but that should really be our goal here,” Pangilinan said.