The country’s next president must lead the fight against corruption by example, similar to the efforts being made by President Aquino, Malacañang said yesterday.
And for the Palace, Vice President Jejomar C. Binay could not be the qualified successor of Aquino due to his refusal to face the corruption charges hurled against him.
Presidential spokesman Edwin F. Lacierda pushed for the continuity of the President’s anti-corruption efforts under the “Daang Matuwid” while taking a swipe at Binay after the Ombudsman recognized that corruption remains prevalent in the bureaucracy.
“The fight against corruption needs a leadership that is committed to live by example,” Lacierda said.
“Hence, there is a decisive need to further Daang Matuwid and to lead by example after the term of President Aquino is over. In the same way that we need committed officials to continue the commitment of combating corruption in their respective offices,” he added.
Under the watch of Aquino, Lacierda said the government has filed cases against several public officials regardless of their status in government.
Ombudsman Conchita Carpio Morales earlier admitted that the bureaucracy is still plagued with significant corrupt government officials, saying they have received thousands of complaints about erring government officials.
Morales then urged voters to choose leaders with integrity and will sustain the fight against corruption.