Manila: Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo Lacson on Tuesday emphasized that repentance alone is insufficient to eliminate corruption and other wrongdoings in the government. His comments were in response to Senate Minority Leader Alan Peter Cayetano’s statement on Facebook Live, where Cayetano acknowledged the prevalence of issues such as vote buying, cheating, and lying, and stressed the importance of repentance.
According to Philippines News Agency, Lacson stated that mere repentance, “especially without the appropriate corrective actions,” is inadequate to eradicate unethical practices, including corruption. He expressed agreement with former Taguig City Mayor Lino Cayetano, who publicly disagreed with the Senate Minority Leader’s remarks. Lacson took to his X account to share a quote from the former mayor, reinforcing the stance against normalizing corruption.
Lacson further elaborated on his experiences with government officials who have repeatedly engaged in corrupt activities, repented, and then continued their misconduct. He highlighted the ongoing suffering of the populace due to a misguided belief that repentance leads to absolution. A seasoned advocate against corruption, Lacson has long campaigned for more robust measures to combat these issues.
Former Mayor Lino Cayetano had previously remarked that it is not in Filipinos’ nature to engage in theft, vote-buying, or deceit, and that mere repentance does not constitute a solution. He urged the public to reject the normalization of corruption and to actively combat it. Lino emphasized that Filipinos are inherently God-fearing and aspire to provide the best for their families.