MANILA — The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) issued a strongly worded pastoral letter on Monday, September 8, denouncing widespread corruption in government flood-control projects and urging Filipinos — especially the youth — to take a more active role in demanding accountability.
Released on the Feast of the Nativity of the Blessed Mother, the letter titled “Beyond Survival: Rising Above the Floods of Corruption” questioned the credibility of ongoing congressional probes into alleged anomalies in multi-billion peso projects, noting that many lawmakers themselves are implicated in budget insertions that critics say divert funds away from education, health, and social services.
Quoting scripture, CBCP President Cardinal Pablo Virgilio David said that corruption in public works has long been an “open secret,” citing previous testimonies from Senator Panfilo Lacson and mayors Benjamin Magalong and Vico Sotto about commissions and kickbacks that consume up to 60 percent of project funds. “Shame must be inclusive,” the bishops declared, stressing that responsibility falls not only on contractors but also legislators, engineers, auditors, and political patrons.
The letter called for restitution of stolen wealth, institutional reforms, and the creation of an independent committee to probe corruption in flood-control and other infrastructure projects. It also urged Filipinos to reject patronage politics, counter disinformation, and model honesty in daily life.
In a pointed appeal to young Filipinos, the bishops said: “You live in the digital space where truth and lies battle daily. Use your platforms not only for outrage, but for vigilance. Make corruption shameful again.”
The pastoral letter comes amid mounting public outrage over reports linking lawmakers and contractors to anomalous flood-control projects, with the bishops framing the fight against corruption as both a moral and national imperative.