Padilla: Gov't execs investigated for graft must resign out of delicadeza

Government officials who are being investigated for allegations of graft should resign from their posts out of delicadeza, Senator-elect Robin Padilla said Tuesday.

Padilla made the remark when asked about the intelligence report sent to Senate President Vicente Sotto III linking the names of some Customs and Agriculture officials to agricultural smuggling in the country.

"Sa aking palagay, kung sino po ang mapapatunayan diyan, unang-una, mag-resign ka. Dapat uso na sa Pilipinas ang ganyan na kapag naimbestigahan ka, unahan mo na agad ng resignation kasi sana magkaroon na tayo ng ganong klaseng delicadeza. Hindi 'yung kapag naimbestigahan ka dito sa atin, kapit-tuko pa rin sa posisyon niya. Sana maging uso na rin sa atin 'yun. Kapag naimbestigahan ka resign na agad," Padilla told reporters.

(In my opinion, those who will be found guilty should resign from their post. It should be a practice in the Philippines that those under investigation should resign out of delicadeza. We should not cling to our post especially if we are facing accusations.)

In the case of the people implicated on the list of alleged agricultural smugglers and protectors, Padilla said they should resign if it is proven that they are involved in the illegal importation based on the investigation which should be conducted by the National Bureau of Investigation.

The first-time senator said one of the lessons he learned from his briefings at the Development Academy of the Philippines (DAP) is accountability of people who serve in the government.

"Hindi puwedeng sorry. Kayo ay nanumpa sa harapan ng Diyos at nanumpa sa harapan ng taumbayan na kayo ay magsisilbi at poproteksyunan niyo ang sambayanang Pilipino tapos kayo ang mag-uumpisa ng kalokohan. Abe eh heinous crime sa akin 'yan. Dapat diyan di lang mag-asawang sampal...dapat sikmuraan din," Padilla said.

(A sorry should not be enough. You took an oath before God and the people that you will serve and protect the Filipino people then you will just get involved in corruption. That is a heinous crime for me. They should be given not just a couple of slaps on their face but a punch as well.)

The neophyte lawmaker also said there should be a Senate blue ribbon committee hearing on the issue of illegal importation of agricultural products.

Asked if he wanted to be a part of the powerful Senate blue ribbon panel, Padilla said he prefers to join the Commission on Appointments (CA).

"Doon na lang ako sa Commission on Appointments. Kung mag-aapply ako doon ko gusto (I want to be part of the Commission on Appointments)," he said.

"'Yun ang natutunan ko sa Bilibid—ang kumilatis ng tao. Tingin pa lang sa tao alam ko na (That is what I learned in Bilibid—to check on people. With just looking at people, I can know their character)," he added.

The action star-turned-politician was convicted for illegal possession of firearms in 1994 and sentenced to a 21-year prison term. He began to serve the term after the ruling was upheld by the Court of Appeals in 1995.

He was released after being granted conditional pardon by former President Fidel Ramos in 1997.

In 2016, President Rodrigo Duterte granted Padilla absolute pardon.

Although he is aligned with the incoming administration of President-elect Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr., Padilla said he expects the next chief executive to be understanding of his job to scrutinize the appointees to various government posts.

The incoming senator said he would be frank to Marcos' appointees if he sees that they are not fit for the job.

"Sorry po talaga. Hindi naman po ako bastos. Sasabihin ko naman po kung bakit sa palagay ko hindi nababagay sa kanya 'yung posisyon na 'yon. Hindi naman po ako mangi-snob or hindi na lang po ako darating sa mga ganon. Diretso ko pong sasabihin," he said

(I am really sorry, I am not rude, but I will directly tell people if I think they are not meant for the position.)

On the issue of soaring oil prices, Padilla mentioned the joint exploration of the Philippines and China on the West Philippine Sea.

"Sa akin, kung gusto talaga natin magkaroon ng resulta, kailangan mag-mosquito na tayo ng langis natin. Itong bayan natin ay pinaliligiran tayo ng langis. Ang nagkakaroon lang po ng problema dito ay kung sino ang mag-mosquito, sino ang bubutas," Padilla said.

(For me, if we really want results, we should do our own drilling. Our country is surrounded by oil. Our problem is who will conduct the drilling.)

The senator was apparently referring to the gas and oil drilling activities in the WPS.

Apart from the joint exploration in the disputed area, Padilla reiterated his suggestion to put up  "Pambansang Gasolinahan" across the country.—AOL, GMA News