‘INVESTIGATION CIRCUS’ ON CORRUPTION DAMAGING PH IMAGE ABROAD — CAYETANO

SENATE Minority Leader Alan Peter Cayetano on Thursday warned that the Philippines’ image abroad is suffering because corruption investigations are being handled “like a circus,” saying the spectacle is embarrassing millions of Filipinos who live and work overseas.

“As a minority leader, my main concern now is how the world sees us,” Cayetano said.

“We have more than ten million Filipinos abroad, and so many traveling every day. But the way we’re doing it, na parang circus araw-araw, lubusan na naaapektuhan ang image ng ating bansa,” he added.

Cayetano said the government’s current approach to addressing corruption has become unsustainable and overly theatrical.

“Hindi sustainable ‘yung paraan kung paano natin ina-address ang massive corruption… Kailangan may major reforms, tunay na pagbabago, at may makulong,” he said.

He stressed that the problem has gone beyond politics and is now shaping how the world perceives Filipinos as a people.

“Filipinos who travel are being mocked, and people are saying we’re corrupt. If you count everyone involved, maybe it’s not even ten thousand people. But because of the way this is being handled, all 110 million Filipinos are being judged,” he said.

Cayetano urged government institutions to conduct investigations with fairness and discipline to restore respect for the rule of law.

“We have to stop being distracted and start being decisive,” he said.