Former senator Kiko Pangilinan, who is seeking re-election in the May 2025 elections, called on students, teachers, farmers, and entrepreneurs to take an active role in fighting corruption during a speech delivered at the Bicol University.
Addressing the massive corruption in government, Pangilinan emphasized the urgent need for collective action and electoral reform to restore integrity and good governance in the Philippines.
“Hindi ‘yan problema ng mga leader natin. ‘Pag hindi tayo tumaya at kumilos, hindi mangyayari ‘yung nais nating mangyayari (It is not just a problem of our leaders. If we don’t act or take a chance, what we want to happen won’t happen),” Pangilinan said, urging his audience to join him in reshaping communities and the nation.
Pangilinan stressed that the 2025 elections are a stepping stone to the 2028 presidential race, where he envisions electing a leader with honesty and integrity.
He said Filipinos have a history of standing up against abuses of power—from opposing dictatorship to fighting corruption in past administrations.
Quoting Mark Twain, Pangilinan said, “History does not repeat itself, but it often rhymes. Sooner or later, the people will say, tama na ang pang-aabuso. Tama na ang pangungurakot. Tama na ang pambabastos sa ating Saligang Batas. Tama na ang pagyurak ng karapatang pantao. Tama na ang kawalan ng hustisya. At mangyayari ‘yun kung marami sa atin ang magsasabi at kikilos at tataya (enough with abuses. Enough with corruption. Enough with disregard of the Constitution. Enough with trampling on human rights. Enough with absence of justice).”
Pangilinan outlined a clear roadmap to combat corruption, starting with the 2025 elections. He called for an “electoral revolt” to vote out abusive and corrupt officials and replace them with leaders with integrity. “Nangyari na ‘yan, mangyayari ulit. Mangyayari mas mabilis ‘pag sama-sama tayong tumataya, lalo na ang kabataan (It has happened before, it will happen again. It will happen faster if we altogether fight, especially the youth),” he said, expressing confidence that the Filipino people can rise once more to demand accountability and good governance.
Central to his message was the pivotal role of the youth in driving political change. Pangilinan described young Filipinos as “the catalyst of change” and challenged students to embrace their historical role as agents of transformation. “Kayo ang napaka-creative, napakapuno ng energy. Kayo ang idealistic. Kayo ang walang interes na pinoprotektahan. Kaya ‘pag kayo ay tumaya, at mas marami kayo, magbabago ang pulitika sa bansa (You are very creative, full of energy, idealistic, protecting no interest. If the youth takes a chance, and you are many, the politics of our country will change),” he said.
He stressed that the 2025 elections are a stepping stone to the 2028 presidential race, where he envisions electing a leader with honesty and integrity. Pangilinan proposed a long-term solution: electing two consecutive honest and capable presidents to serve for 12 years, ensuring irreversible reforms and a modern Philippines.
Reflecting on lessons from the 2022 elections, he emphasized the need to prepare early and act decisively. “The 2025 elections should be viewed as the beachhead for 2028. And this is my final say: ang solusyon, ihalal natin ang mga tapat at totoo (the solution is to elect the honest and the true),” he said.
Pangilinan’s impassioned speech resonated with the audience, many of whom expressed support for his vision of a corruption-free government and progressive nation.
