Senate President Lacson Aligns with Former Taguig Mayor on Corruption and Repentance

Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo “Ping" Lacson publicly affirmed his agreement with former Taguig City Mayor Lino Cayetano's assertion that repentance by itself cannot eliminate corruption and other misconduct. On Tuesday, September 16, Lacson shared a post on his social media account featuring a quote from the former mayor that rejected the notion promoted by Senate Minority Leader Alan Peter Cayetano—that widespread wrongdoing among Filipinos can be resolved solely through repentance.

"I agree and associate myself with Taguig City ex-Mayor Lino Cayetano in this regard," Lacson stated. The senator, who also chairs the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee tasked with investigating government corruption, remarked, "I know government officials who committed sins by stealing public funds, repented, stole again and repented again a number of times. In the meantime, people suffer from their belief that absolution comes after repentance."

This response follows a recent Facebook Live session in which Senator Alan Peter Cayetano openly acknowledged that as a people, Filipinos are "all guilty from vote buying to cheating to stealing to lying." He maintained that the essential component of addressing these issues is genuine repentance.

However, Lino Cayetano criticized this perspective as typical of "traditional politicians that spark anger," arguing that such statements risk normalizing negative behaviors. He emphasized the inherent decency of Filipinos, stating they are God-fearing and motivated by the well-being of their families.

"Hindi likas ang magnakaw, bumili ng boto, magsinungaling, at hindi din solusyon at absolusyon ang pag 'repent' lamang (It is not in Filipinos' nature to steal, buy votes, or lie. Neither is the solution in mere 'repentance')," the former mayor said.

He concluded passionately, "Let’s not normalize corruption. Let’s fight it!" underscoring the importance of action over mere contrition.