SAYING there is an “unprecedented scale of corruption in government,” the social action arm of the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) yesterday called on all dioceses and archdioceses in the country to form movements that will help end anomalous practices.
The CBCP’s Episcopal Commission on Social Action, Justice, and Peace said the movements aim to support a full and transparent investigation into sub-standard, uncompleted, and “ghost” flood control projects to ensure that those responsible are held accountable.
The commission’s chairman, Bishop Jose Colin Bagaforo, also said the movements will lobby for the swift filing of cases against those responsible to stop impunity.
“Since his last State of the Nation Address (SONA), the President has been pointing out this corruption of uncontrolled greed and impunity exposed through the sub-standard, uncompleted, and ghost flood control projects and other infrastructure developments,” he said in a statement.
“We urgently call on our social action network and partners in all our 87 archdioceses and dioceses across the country to commit in beginning a movement that supports the President’s call to put an end to corruption in government,” he added.
Bagaforo said the movements will also aim to bring to communities true and accurate information on investigations and findings, by discussing the extent of the documented corrupt projects and practices, and explaining how these affect the basic services government.
Lastly, Bagaforo said, the movements will work to strengthen and improve mechanisms for citizens’ participation in monitoring preparations for and spending of the national budget to ensure transparency and accountability.
Bagaforo said the commission is prepared to act as secretariat until the movements are fully organized.
“We will continue to reach out to you to begin organizing this movement,” he told the dioceses and archdioceses.
In his speech during the observance of the National Heroes’ Day on Monday, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr rallied Filipinos to join in the fight against corruption in government.
This comes a month after Marcos, in his SONA, condemned the alleged collusion between public officials and private contractors in stealing government funds through flood control projects.
