Church leaders urge prayers, action amid rising political tensions

Church leaders are calling for prayers amid political tensions, but underscore that the people also have the option to stage protest actions against corruption and to use legal means as "pressure" for political change.

"We are now living in a time when many of our people are becoming divided, confused, and emotionally burdened because of political tensions, conflicting opinions, fake news, and disinformation. Many are asking: What is really true? Whom should we believe?," said Cebu Archbishop Alberts S. Uy in a statement.

"In moments like this, we must be careful not to allow anger, hatred, mockery, and political fanaticism to take over our hearts. If we lose our capacity to listen, reflect, and respect one another, our nation will suffer even more," he added.

He said the people long for "honesty, transparency, accountability, and responsible stewardship of public funds."

"The resources of our nation must serve the people, especially the poor, and not selfish interests," Uy added.

Lingayen-Dagupan Archbishop Socrates Villegas said, in his homily that was read in all parishes last Sunday, "Even then, even if our hands voted for these corrupt incompetent officials our hands hold the power of hope and the power to change. What can our hands do?"

"Let our hands fold in prayer and seek forgiveness from God. A nation at prayer wil heal our land. The moral sickness of our country cannot be healed by mere activism; it must be surrendered to God in prayer," he also said.

"Use your hands to protest. In today's rampant deceit and abuse of power, neutrality has become a mask for cowardice. Silence in the face of lies is moral surrender. Reject corruption and never regard it as a normal part of daily life," he added.

Villegas also said that the people can use legal means to "pressure for political change."

Both prelates were referring to the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte, the sudden change of leadership in the Senate, and the shooting incident in the Senate building.

"As Archbishop of Cebu and as a fellow Filipino, I humbly appeal to the President, to government leaders, and to all responsible agencies and authorities: please show our people that the investigation into the flood-control scandal is being pursued seriously, sincerely, and without favoritism. If wrongdoing is proven, those responsible must be held accountable and punished accordingly, regardless of political party or influence. Justice must never favor only the powerful or the politically convenient," said Archbishop Uy.

Archbishop Villegas, meanwhile, said "Reject the corrupt in the next elections. Review and evaluate their records of public service. your vote is your power. Your vote is your power. Use it to the maximum."

"The justice system can punish the corrupt during and after their tenure. We can also punish the corrupt by defeating them in the ballot. We insist on accountability and transparency within the context of rule of law," he added. — BAP, GMA News