Church group: Rejecting corruption is a Christian duty

An ecumenical group composed of bishops, clergy, religious men and women reminded Filipinos to actively reject corruption, saying that it is a Christian duty, as several revelations related to the country’s anomalous flood control projects surfaced.

“We remind every citizen that rejecting corruption is not only a civic duty but also a Christian responsibility,” the Church People - Workers Solidarity (CWS) said Tuesday in a statement.

“Together, let us transform righteous anger into effective action. We call on parishes, labor groups, and poor communities to pray, organize, and demand just governance,” they added.

Headed by San Carlos Bishop Gerardo Alminaza, CWS also urged President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to ensure “transparency, accountability, and genuine in public infrastructure projects.”

“State officials who abuse the public to gain private wealth, in collusion with elite and foreign interests, must be held accountable,” CWS said.

“We insist that those who have stolen from public coffers must return the ill-gotten gains, face full prosecution under the law, and be held accountable without impunity. Public infrastructure must serve life and dignity — not private greed,” it added.

Echoing the late Pope Francis' words, CWS said corruption is worse than any sin as it hardens one’s heart to feel shame or guilt and converse with God.

It added that the most vulnerable bear the “heaviest” burden caused by corruption.

Earlier, the Catholic Educational Association of the Philippines (CEAP) has urged Filipinos to engage with public officials, monitor local projects, join community consultations, report irregularities, and refuse complicity in bribery.

Meanwhile, the Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) denounced corruption in flood control projects.

CBCP president and Kalookan Bishop Cardinal Pablo Virgilio David said true justice also calls for restitution, in which stolen wealth is returned to the public.

On Monday, newly-installed Senate President Pro Tempore Senator Panfilo "Ping" Lacson flagged the possible money laundering scheme of five engineers of the Department of Public Works and Highways.

During his privilege speech, Lacson identified the engineers as former Bulacan first district engineer Henry Alcantara, former district assistant engineer Brice Ericson Hernandez, construction division chief Jaypee Mendoza, DPWH engineer II Arjay Domasig, and contractor Edrick San Diego.

He alleged that the engineers called Bulacan Group of Contractors (BGC) Boys engaged in a money laundering scheme when they “miraculously” won millions of pesos at a casino in Pasay City from Aug. 31, 2023 to April 4, 2024. — BAP, GMA Integrated News