Ecumenical bishops condemn flood control projects anomalies

The Ecumenical Bishops Forum (EBF) condemned the construction of “ghost projects” and called for accountability amid discussions on the anomalous flood control projects nationwide.

In its statement issued on Wednesday, EBF called the scandal a “moral disgrace and anathema.”

“Such a large-scale corruption is no less a ‘moral disgrace and anathema’ that impair the dignity of the entire Filipino people. The misuse of public funds is obviously a result of an unholy collusion of amoral interest among shameful public officials, and some unscrupulous bloodsuckers,” the statement read.

EBF said the proliferation of ghost projects were a betrayal of public trust that keeps billions of pesos from being distributed to the vulnerable population.

“We strongly condemn this inhumane crime and demand justice and accountability. Flood-control infrastructure is useless and ineffectual because of ‘ghost projects,’ costly contracts, and the use of substandard materials,” it said.

“The fund that was supposed to go to important infrastructure has been stolen, putting people in danger,” the statement read.

EBF called for complete transparency, open bidding processes, independent audits, and prosecution in investigations involving the projects.

“This critical issue merely reflects a more profound, systemic challenge within governance. Religious groups and concerned organizations view this scandal as a stark revelation of a culture of impunity, where greed undermines public trust and obstructs national progress… We call on every Filipino to advocate for reforms and safeguard public funds,” it said.

The Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) on Saturday also denounced the corruption in flood control projects and demanded that money that had been stolen from taxpayers be returned.

Thirty of the country’s most influential business groups earlier joined the call to hold individuals involved in the anomalies in flood control projects accountable, issuing a strong statement condemning the alleged corruption in the government’s public works contracts.

Some former generals of the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Philippine National Police, members of the academe, civil society, and business groups also joined the call for accountability for the anomalous flood control projects.

The Senate blue ribbon committee, the House Infrastructure Committee, Commission on Audit, and Office of the Ombudsman have been looking into anomalies in flood control projects.

President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. said he will issue an executive order which will formally create the Independent Commission that will look into anomalies of flood control projects.

Marcos said Tuesday that the power and composition of the independent commission would be disclosed in the next 48 hours. 

There will be no politicians in the independent commission, he said. —Jiselle Anne Casucian/KG, GMA Integrated News