Sen. Panfilo Lacson on Monday called for a much-needed and long-overdue break from corruption and bickering amid the myriad problems the country is facing made worse by the pandemic.
He said those who continue to make a profit from the pandemic should realize that the country will sink or swim based on its people’s capacity to unite.
“All of us Filipinos should think of the national interest and unite to promote it,” he said.
He cited information reaching him on corruption in the procurement of testing kits and machines, face masks, face shields, personal protective equipment (PPE), and other items needed for the government’s COVID-19 response.
“Can they at least forget about their greed during the pandemic?” he said.
Lacson said while he is not saying that corrupt ways can resume once the pandemic is over, “they should pause if they cannot stop” while the country’s is still facing a raging health crisis.
He also appealed to Filipinos to set aside their “political colors” when it comes to protecting the national interest, adding that public discourse should not degenerate into personal attacks and insults.
“The conflict or our divisiveness is already too deep,” he said.
“We have only one country and the national interest must come first. The national interest is for all Filipinos, not just for certain groups or parties,” he added.