MANILA — Senator Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan called on the public to remain vigilant against what he described as a corrupt and abusive judiciary, stressing that the fight against corruption hinges on a functioning justice system that holds officials accountable.

“This is not just a corruption issue. This is also a judiciary system justice issue. Mas malawak pa nga. Totoo may mga abusadong pulitiko, pero bakit hindi napaparusahan? Andiyan din ang pananagutan ng hudikatura,” Pangilinan said in a radio interview on January 16.

Pangilinan, who chairs the Senate Committee on Justice and Human Rights, lamented that some public officials in the past were allowed to walk free despite facing plunder charges.

“Lahat tayo galit sa kurakot na pulitiko. Lahat tayo galit sa kurakot na public works pero nung inabswelto yung ilang mga nakasuhan ng plunder dati, para wala tayong galit sa mga mahistrado kasi ang puno’t dulo nito ay sa huwes mapupunta lahat ito. So, dapat bantayan natin,” he said.

While clarifying that his remarks were not meant to vilify the entire judiciary, the senator urged Filipinos to be watchful of the actions of judges.

“Nung mga nakaraang mga absweltong kaso, sino ba yung mga huwes na iyon? Bakit hindi sila kilala? Bakit walang pangalan?,” Pangilinan asked.

“Pag pulitiko, kapag nasa public works, kilalang kilala, pero yung mga nagaabswelto sa mga hudikatura, hindi natin alam. So, dapat talaga maging vigilant ang ating mga kababayan at ang media sa hudikatura. Maging mapagbantay,” he added, citing Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla’s statement that corruption is also prevalent in the judiciary.

Pangilinan also called on the Supreme Court to hold corrupt and abusive members of the judiciary accountable through dismissal, saying this would send a clear message that abuse of power will not be tolerated.

He made the remarks following questions on the Department of Justice’s announcement that former Department of Public Works and Highways undersecretary Roberto Bernardo and former DPWH Bulacan district engineer Henry Alcantara are now state witnesses in the government’s investigation into the multi-billion-peso flood control controversy.

Earlier, Pangilinan filed a bill seeking to create a Congressional Commission on the State of the Philippine Justice System to review and address gaps in the country’s justice system.