We must not stop hoping for an end to corruption – but we must also be one in acting against it.
This was the appeal of former Senator and 2025 senatorial candidate Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson to Filipinos, as he warned of a possible future where ordinary Filipinos need to bring sacks of money just to buy groceries.
“Let’s not stop hoping because we have no other country. We are Filipinos. Even overseas Filipino workers and those who migrated abroad will one day come home,” Lacson said.
“We should all be involved, especially our communities. If the community does not and our attitude is one of indifference, our situation will get worse,” he added.
Related: Ping Lacson, Nanawagan sa Pilipino: Huwag Tayong Mawalan ng Pagasa at Kumilos Tayo Laban sa Katiwalian
Lacson said Filipinos can start acting as one against corruption by voting for the right candidates this May. “I am not necessarily referring to myself, but let us choose the right leaders this May,” he said.
Earlier this week, Lacson took part in a roundtable forum on anti-corruption and good governance in Baguio City. The forum was attended by experts and representatives of various sectors.
One of the questions that raised Lacson’s interest during the forum was whether there is still hope amid worsening corruption in the Philippines.
Lacson warned that if corruption goes unchecked, the time will come that we can no longer pay our debt, which as of end-February has hit a new high of P16.63 trillion.
“I fear the day may come where we can no longer pay our debts, and we may be like Venezuela where we have to bring a sack of money just to eat in a restaurant or buy groceries,” he said.
“One cause of this is corruption. If the people’s money is not used properly, we cannot develop livelihood programs because the money ends up in the pockets of the corrupt,” he added.
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Ping Lacson, Nanawagan sa Pilipino: Huwag Tayong Mawalan ng Pagasa at Kumilos Tayo Laban sa Katiwalian
Huwag tayong mawalan ng pagasa na matitigilan natin ang katiwalian – pero dapat din tayong magkaisa at kumilos para labanan ito.
Ito ang apela ni dating Senador at 2025 senatorial candidate Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson sa mga Pilipino, kasabay ng babala na darating ang araw na magdadala tayo ng sako-sakong pera para lang bumili ng groceries.
“Let’s not stop hoping. Wala tayong pupuntahang iba. Mga Pilipino tayo, maski OFW, maski nag-migrate, darating ang araw dito sila uuwi, magre-retire, magpapahinga,” ani Lacson.
“Dapat magsama-sama tayo, maging involved tayo, especially ang communities. Kasi kung walang tulong ang community, wala, kibit balikat na lang tayo. Pag yan ang attitude natin talagang palala ng palala ang ating sitwasyon,” dagdag niya.
Ani Lacson, isang mabuting simula ay ang pagboto ng tamang kandidato ngayong Mayo. “Hindi ako nagre-refer sa sarili ko pero pumili tayo ng maayos,” aniya.
Nitong Martes, lumahok si Lacson sa roundtable forum sa anti-corruption at good governance sa Baguio City. Dumalo sa forum ang dalubhasa at kinatawan ng iba’t ibang sektor.
Isa sa mga tanong na tumatak kay Lacson ay kung may pag-asa pa ba ang bayan sa gitna ng lumalalang korapsyon.
Babala ni Lacson, kung hindi mapigilan ang korapsyon, darating ang araw na hindi na kayang bayaran ng Pilipinas ang utang nito, na sa katapusan ng Pebrero 2025 ay umabot na sa P16.63 trilyon.
“Baka dumating ang araw na hindi tayo makabayad ng utang, mag-default tayo baka para tayong Venezuela na isang sakong pera dala natin papunta lang tayo sa restaurant o grocery,” ani Lacson.
“Ang isang ugat dito, ang corruption. Kung nananakaw ang pera ng bayan, di nagagamit sa tamang paraan, hindi humihinog ang ating kabuhayan dahil napupunta kung saan-saan lang sa bulsa ng mga masasama, mga corrupt. Dapat maging mapagbantay tayo,” dagdag niya.
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