President Benigno Aquino III said on Sunday that his administration will soon convict and put behind bars corrupt government officials by next year. In a speech before members of the Filipino community in Japan where he is on a working visit, Aquino vowed to file strong cases and pursue charges against “abusive" government officials who used public funds for their personal gains. “Titiyakin nating hindi ito matatapos lamang sa pag-uungkat. Titiyakin nating matibay ang matibay ang ebidensya, at hindi na makakalusot pa ang mga salarin," he said. He also appealed for the judiciary’s cooperation in going after these corrupt officials. “Sa konting kooperasyon ng hudikatura, baka naman maikulong na natin ‘yang mga ‘yan sa susunod na taon. Pananagutin natin ang mga nagkasala para hindi na sila pamarisan pa ng iba." Pnoy 3-day visit in Japan Aquino arrived in Japan on Sunday afternoon for a three-day visit, and is expected to meet with Japanese Emperor Akihito and Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda. The President said the invitation from Japanese leaders proves that his government’s anti-corruption efforts are getting international recognition.
“Nakakataba nga po talaga ng puso: kung dati, iniisnab-isnab lang ang bansa natin kapag may mga bagong pinuno ang mga karatig-bansa, ngayon po, palagi na tayong isa sa mga unang inaanyayahan, " he said. “Bakit po? Dahil batid ng buong mundo ang resulta ng tuwid na daan. Ibang-iba na nga po talaga ang lagay ng Pilipinas: bumabangon na po tayo mula sa imahen ng kawalang-direksyon, at naibabalik na natin ang ating pambansang dangal," he added.
‘Just tiis’ Aquino also told the Filipino community that one of the goals of his anti-corruption efforts is to encourage Filipinos to work in the Philippines.
“Kapag aalis po kayo ng bansa, ang hangad po natin ay ginusto ninyo—choice. Hindi ‘yung napilitan kayo dahil wala kayong makitang trabago sa ating pong bansa," he said in the same speech. The President noted how the past administration had kept Filipinos burdened with unemployment, injustice and corruption.
“Nauso iyung wala raw hong justice. Tiis na lang ho tayo nang tiis sa sitwasyon, kaya—just tiis." “Mulat po tayo sa sistemang dinatnan natin. Isang sistemang ‘wang-wang’ na marahil ay nagtulak sa marami sa inyong makipagsapalaran na lamang sa ibayong dagat," he added.
OFWs as ‘ambassadors’ He also urged overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) in Japan to act as “ambassadors" for the Philippines through their respective jobs.
“Palagi sana nating tandaan na anuman ang trabaho natin dito sa Japan, dala-dala palagi natin ang dangal at ngalan ng ating bansa at bandila… kaya naman nananalig akong magiging responsable kayong kinatawan ng ating bansa dito po sa Japan," he said. According to latest figures from Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA), there are more than 280,000 Filipinos currently working in Japan.
— MRT/KBK, GMA News 
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