PARTIDO Reporma chairman and standard-bearer Senator Panfilo Lacson and his running mate Senate President Vicente Sotto III vowed to be relentless in their fight against corruption as the world observed International Anti-Corruption Day on Thursday.

Lacson said that corruption is one of the biggest problems in government.

“We always maintain na isa sa pinakamalalaking problema dito sa ating bansa ‘yung corruption na dapat talaga tingnan natin. Sa pagsusuri ng mga sabihin na nating iboboto at pipiliin ng ating mga kababayan dapat nasa isip nila lagi sino ‘yung mas malamang na makaka-solve ng isyu o problema ng corruption sa ating bansa,” the senator said.

He reminded Filipinos that “corruption kills,” especially during the Covid19 pandemic when the nation had to contend with the Pharmally scandal, which prompted the Senate to investigate the government’s procurement of medical supplies.

“‘Yung Pharmally issue, ‘di ba, nakakagalit ng loob? Tayo hanggang galit na lang tayo, minsan tinatawanan na lang natin. And sa akin, it is a bad sign that we laugh at the problems that hound us na involved ‘yung isyu ng corruption,” Lacson said.

“‘Pag tinatawanan na lang natin ibig sabihin tanggap na natin. Hanggang nagagalit ang tao may pag-asa tayo and ‘yan ang talagang pagtutuunan namin ng pansin na ‘yung mga corrupt hindi puwedeng makalusot sa Lacson-Sotto administration,” he added.

As long as corruption persists, Lacson said every day must be considered “Anti-Kotong Day.” He renewed his commitment to enforce reforms to stamp out this problem.

“’Pag naging presidente ako at naging bise presidente si Senate President, mawawala ang kotong sa gobyerno. ‘Yan puwede naming ipangako kasi nagawa na namin,” he said.