Senator Pangilinan Calls for Focused Action Amid Violent Protests Over Corruption Scandal

Senator Francis "Kiko" Pangilinan appealed to the public on Sunday, September 21, to stay focused on the core objective of achieving accountability and reform despite the unrest surrounding recent protests.\n\n"Let us not get distracted by chaos. Let us keep our eyes on what matters most, demanding real change," Pangilinan stated, encouraging protesters to be a beacon of hope amid the turmoil rooted in corruption.\n\nThe senator’s remarks came in the wake of violent clashes that erupted along Ayala Bridge earlier in the day, where some protesters confronted police forces and set fire to vehicles obstructing the roadway. Violence escalated later that evening in Recto, resulting in a budget hotel being set ablaze. Authorities reported at least 17 arrests and more than 80 injured law enforcement personnel.\n\nA former student activist, Pangilinan reaffirmed his dedication to the protest movement, emphasizing its significance in light of the ongoing flood control corruption controversy. He underscored the importance of thorough investigations to ensure responsible parties are held accountable.\n\n"Corruption isn’t abstract, especially when it exploits people and even costs lives," he remarked. "We must not let this moment pass without meaningful change. This is the time to convert outrage into reforms so it does not get lost in bureaucracy or political maneuvering."\n\nPangilinan also recognized the diverse array of citizens participating in the demonstrations—including students, religious groups, celebrities, and everyday Filipinos—who have put their safety and daily obligations on hold to demand justice.\n\n"Every peso stolen translates to lives endangered when floods hit, when illnesses spread, and when livelihoods are shattered," he said, echoing the public’s frustration and indignation.\n\nDespite the tense atmosphere, Pangilinan urged the nation to harness their collective anger to drive concrete change.\n\n"This march signals just the start of a prolonged struggle for transparency and accountability. I invite everyone to stand united until justice prevails," he concluded, urging continued vigilance and collective action to safeguard Filipino lives exploited and harmed by corruption.