MANILA – Senator Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan called on Filipinos to revive the values of justice, integrity, and honesty in public service, urging them to hold corrupt officials accountable as the nation grapples with widespread corruption.

“Gawin nating uso ang hustisya. Gawin nating viral muli ang integridad. Gawin nating uso ang katuwiran, gawin nating viral muli ang katapatan. Dahil sa panahon na matapang ang mga magnanakaw, dapat mas matapang ang tapat at totoo,” Pangilinan said during the Liberal Party fellowship event titled “Kung Walang Korap, Walang Mahirap: A Fellowship on Integrity, Accountability, and the Continuing Fight for Good Governance.”

The event, held on October 14 at Avire Tower in Cubao, Quezon City, centered on the continuing fight against corruption and the importance of accountability in governance. Pangilinan, who chairs the Liberal Party, led the gathering.

The senator made the statement in response to public frustration that no one may be held accountable in the ongoing investigations into alleged corruption in flood control projects.

“Labanan natin ’yun,” he said, referring to public sentiment about the lack of accountability among government officials.

Pangilinan also echoed the remarks of former Senate President Franklin Drilon during a Senate hearing on the creation of an Independent People’s Commission (IPC), noting that corruption has flourished due to impunity.

“Pinauso kasi ang impunity, pinauso ang walang pananagot, pinauso na ang batas, para lang sa mga mahihirap, sa walang kapit, sa walang kapangyarihan. Pinauso na sa mayaman, sa nasa poder, pwede lahat ng kabalbalan,” he said.

As part of his commitment to transparency, Pangilinan released his Statement of Assets, Liabilities, and Net Worth (SALN) alongside that of Mamamayang Liberal Party-list Rep. Leila de Lima.

He also urged all Liberal Party members in government to publicly release their SALNs and vowed to remove any party members found to have benefited from corruption.