Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, January 31) — A presidential hopeful on Monday cautioned voters against electing into office candidates who would seek to enrich themselves at the expense of the people’s welfare.
“For the longest time, we have witnessed how corruption, the worst form of thievery, continues to destroy our nation. And we only have ourselves to blame,” Senator Panfilo “Ping” Lacson said.
He also said that voting such people into office gives them leeway to engage in illegal activity.
“Tayo pa nga ang nagsi-shade ng kanyang pangalan sa balota. At hindi siya namimili ng nanakawin. Wala siyang pakialam kung ang kanyang ninanakaw ay ang ating mga karapatan sa edukasyon, hanapbuhay, kalusugan at maayos at masaganang pamumuhay, at higit sa lahat, ang kinabukasan ng kabataan,” he said.
[Translation: We even shade their names on the ballot. And they don’t pick what they steal. They don’t care if what they steal is the right to education, jobs, health and a decent life, and most of all the future of the youth.]
A former Philippine National Police chief, Lacson previously said he and his running mate, Senate president Vicente “Tito” Sotto III, were the best corruption-fighting team given their experience and years in public office.
On Monday’s online event celebrating National Bible Day, Lacson said “deeply entrenched thievery” was the country’s biggest challenge and urged voters to be more discerning.
“Just for one day, on Election Day, let us not allow ourselves to be partners of the thieves. Let us stand mightily against the evils of their actions,” he said.
