Senator Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan has renewed his demand for a sweeping overhaul of the country’s justice system, urging lawmakers to immediately establish a Joint Congressional Commission on Justice Reform as concerns over corruption and the flood control controversy intensify.
Rather than focus solely on recent scandals, Pangilinan framed the issue as the culmination of years of institutional decay. He argued that widespread losses—from destroyed homes to vanished livelihoods—stem from longstanding dysfunction in agencies tasked with public protection and accountability. “Marami na ang nasawi, at marami na ang nawalan ng tahanan at kabuhayan – bunga ng bilyon-bilyong nawaldas at ng isang bulok na sistemang matagal nang pinahina ng katiwalian at pagwawalang-bahala sa batas at pananagutan,” he said.
The proposed commission is detailed in Senate Bill 1547 and is envisioned to examine root causes of failures within the justice sector. Pangilinan emphasized that the task is not merely administrative but moral, pointing out that the public is clamoring for real accountability. “Atat na atat na ang taumbayan para sa katarungan. Gusto nilang makulong mga may sala, hindi malaya at nagpapakasasa sa kinurakot,” he said.
He explained that the commission would scrutinize why institutions supported by taxpayers have repeatedly fallen short of safeguarding public welfare. “Sa ating panukalang pagbuo ng joint commission, uugatin natin ang mga dahilan kung bakit sukdulan na ang pagkabigo ng sistema ng hustisya sa bansa, lalo na para sa pinapasweldo ng taumbayan para pangalagaan ang kanilang kapakanan. Lalo na para sa mga sumumpang magsisilbi sa bayan, hindi busugin ang sariling bulsa,” he added.
According to Pangilinan, the envisioned panel would craft legislative measures aimed at restoring trust in a system he says has been repeatedly compromised by corruption and inaction.
