MANILA — Senator Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan announced plans to file a measure creating a congressional commission tasked with reviewing and addressing shortcomings in the Philippines’ justice system.

Speaking on ANC’s “Headstart,” Pangilinan cited the country’s low conviction rate in criminal cases and the judiciary’s difficulty in holding government officials accountable for misuse of public funds.

“We are filing a Judiciary Congressional Commission on the State of the Philippine Justice System. Parang EDCOM II,” he said, referring to the Second Congressional Commission on Education, which conducted a comprehensive national assessment of the education sector.

Pangilinan emphasized the need for swift and effective punishment to maintain respect for the law. “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,” he 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,” he added.

The senator highlighted that the judiciary currently has a 47% conviction rate, compared to 90% in Japan and more than 80% in Hong Kong. He also noted that the Sandiganbayan has about 5,000 unserved arrest warrants, with some cases unresolved even after 40 years, and that the average duration of a case is four years.

“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,” Pangilinan said.

“These are what we have to do to punish more and to punish swiftly para matakot ang tao. Ngayon kasi ay wala naman nakukulong. Nakakalungkot pero dapat talaga yan ang pupuntiryahin natin dito,” he added.