Supreme Court (SC) Senior Associate Justice Marvic M.V.F. Leonen said that running after corrupt government officials and holding them accountable should be prioritized instead of Charter Change.

Speaking before the delegates of the Ombudsman Strategic and Operational Planning for 2026 to 2032 in Baguio City on Tuesday, Feb. 10, Leonen pointed out that Charter Change would not fully address the corruption problem in the country.

“At present, the idea of Charter Change is being floated in response to corruption. However, this is not the full solution,” Leonen pointed out.

He said: “I say for corruption, Charter Change is tangential. We must remember that even if Charter Change occurs or whatever form of government our country chooses to adopt, we must anchor ourselves in the role of demanding accountability and going after corruption in any situation.”

The Office of the Ombudsman is currently leading the investigation into the multi-billion-peso corruption in the country’s flood control projects involving key government officials, senators, congressmen, and private contractors.

Fact-finding investigations are also being undertaken by the Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Independent Commission for Infrastructures (ICI).

Cases have been filed before the Sandiganbayan and the regional trial court, and arrest warrants have been issued against those accused of graft and malversation of public funds through falsification of public documents.

Justice Leonen’s statements were aired after Senate President Vicente “Tito” Sotto III criticized the recent SC’s ruling which affirmed with finality the unconstitutionality of the impeachment complaint filed by the House of Representatives against Vice President Sara Duterte for violation of the one-year ban under the Constitution and her right to due process

Published reports stated that Sotto criticized the SC for encroaching on the power of the legislature by imposing new rules for the impeachment process.

Sotto said that the SC’s ruling, which was written for the full court by Leonen, has effectively rendered impeachment as an “impossible dream.”

He then said that Charter Change can undo the impact of the SC’s ruling.

But Leonen said that the fight against corruption requires more than just a regime or Charter Change.

The country’s criminal justice system, which exists in any political system, should strike at the root of the problem, he said.

He urged responsible government officials to act against corruption since “we are indebted to no one except the mandate of our office.”

Leonen also said: “Remaining silent in the face of corruption, especially when we hold office, authority, and voice is complicity in injustice. Silence is not prudence. Silence is not humility. Silence is injustice.”