By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

Two candidates of opposition senatorial lineup ‘Otso Diretso’ yesterday vowed to “hold corrupt politicians accountable” if elected.

While speaking in Bacolod City, senatorial candidate, former Deputy House Speaker Erin Tañada, said, “People must not allow politicians and other government officials from refusing to publicize their SALN (Statements of Assets, Liabilities, and Net Worth).”

He added, “Even the judiciary should not be [exempt] from releasing their SALNs.”

The former legislator also said the Freedom of Information Bill should urgently be signed into law as a means of exposing officials of engaging in corruption.

Shortly after being elected, in July 2016, President Rodrigo Duterte issued Executive Order No. 2, which provided the public with full disclosure of all executive branch transactions pertaining to public interest.

Another candidate for Senate, incumbent Magdalo partylist Rep. Gary Alejano, meanwhile, said, “Systems are already in place and people should not be afraid [of] fighting government corruption.”

“The accountability of government officials is within the people [themselves],” he added.

Alejano earlier received the endorsement of Negros Occidental gubernatorial candidate, incumbent Negros Occidental Vice Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson, who said he would be supporting candidates based on where they are from, specifically, Negrense candidates./DGB, WDJ