VP bets Pangilinan, David and Lopez recall how they fought corruption in the past

 

Three vice presidential candidates on Saturday weighed in on fighting corruption in government. 

Appearing at CNN Philippines Vice Presidential Debate 2022, Senator Francis Pangilinan, Manny Lopez and Rizalito David recalled how they fought corruption in the past.

Pangilinan underscored that he has no anomalous record in his years of public service, saying that he gives utmost importance to the trust given to him by the citizens.

"Mahalaga sa akin ang tiwala na ibinigay sa atin ng ating mga kababayan kaya tiniyak natin na sa tatlong termino natin ni minsan hindi tayo nasangkot sa anumang kaso ng anomalya. Maliwanag 'yan," Pangilinan said.

(The trust given to me by our countrymen is very important that's why we made sure during my three terms [as senator] that I will not be involved in any anomaly, that's very clear.)

He recalled that when he was leading the National Food Authority, some bids were rejected because of very high prices.

"Bakit nareject? Kasi mataas. Bakit mataas? Dahil mayroong isinisingit na tongpats. Sa apat nating pagrereject, napababa nila ang plano ng Thailand at Vietnam ng kanilang inooffer na bigas," Pangilinan said.

In his campaign against corruption, Pangilinan said he also pushed for the modernization of the justice system, including giving benefits to prosecutors and providing higher salaries to judges.

Good track record

On the other hand, Lopez cited his good track record as an official of the National Food Authority.

"I fought graft and corruption to the fullest extent of my capability and ability. And I lost. Why? Because there is no political will to fight graft and corruption in this country," Lopez.

Lopez added it seemed to get worse as Filipinos elect "more distinguished legislators and more distinguished officials."

Lopez proposed an e-governance system to address graft and corruption, as it required a systemic solution, saying it could address specific loopholes in the public financial system.

Lopez said combating corruption as well requires "a renewal of faith in ourselves, in our country, and our desire to fight graft and corruption."

For his part, David urged the public to keep their faith in God, noting it will eradicate the roots of corruption which are fear and greed.

David, who is currently the executive director of Pro-Life Philippines Foundation, said it simply need to "restore all things in Christ" to alleviate the problems of corruption in the country.

“Ang corruption po ay nagmumula sa takot it can be rooted in fear, and in fear nadedevelop yung greed. Ang corruption yumayabong dahil wala tayong pagibig sa ating kapwa kaya ang sinasabi ko ibalik natin ang gobyerno kay Kristo,” he said.

(Corruption comes from fear, it can be rooted in fear, and in fear, greed develops. Corruption thrives because we don’t love our neighbor so I let us put the government to Christ.)

“Restore all things in Christ yan ang parati kong panawagan, magkaroon tayo ng himagsikan sa ating pananampalataya simply put our faith, yun lang naman parati yun eh lahat ng batas ginawa na natin para maiwasan ang korupsyon pero walang nangyayari bakit? Dahil nasa puso ang takot at kasakiman na kailangan mawala. At mawawala lamang yan kung tayo ay magbabago. Kung ang bawat isa ay magkakaroon ng pagpapanibago sa pamamagitan ng pagaalay ng sarili sa mga turo ng ating Panginoon,” he said.

(Restore all things in Christ that's what I always call, let's have a rebellion in our faith simply put our faith, we have all the laws we've made to prevent corruption but nothing is happening why? Because in the heart is the fear and greed that needs to disappear. And that will only disappear if we change. If each one would have a renewal by dedicating himself to the teachings of our Lord.) — Anna Felicia Bajo, Richa Noriega and Jamil Santos/RSJ, GMA News

This article VP bets Pangilinan, David and Lopez recall how they fought corruption in the past was originally published in GMA News Online.