Dennis Gasgonia

Article (news)

davi

ABS-CBN News

MANILA - The Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines on Saturday demanded the return of stolen wealth amid anomalous flood control projects in the country.In a pastoral letter, CBCP President and Kalookan Cardinal Pablo Virgilio David denounced the &quot;anatomy of corruption&quot; in public works.  &quot;For years, the anatomy of corruption in public works has been public knowledge. Senator Panfilo Lacson laid it bare. Mayors like Benjamin Magalong and Vico Sotto confirmed that a multi-layered system of &#x27;commissions&#x27; often consumes sixty percent of project funds, leaving less than half for construction,&quot; he said.&quot;In recent hearings, the rebuke &#x27;Mahiya naman kayo!&#x27; was directed only at contractors. But shame must be inclusive: legislators, district engineers, government auditors, and political patrons also share in the plunder. Equally guilty are private contractors and financiers who coÎlude in this racket.&quot;<div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/9/6/groups-urge-gov-t-to-replace-system-of-corruption-with-transparency-accountability-1342">&#x27;Dapat may managot&#x27;: Amid flood control probe, groups urge gov&#x27;t to replace &#x27;system of corruption&#x27; with transparency, accountability</a></div> David said that real justice is more than just inflicting punishment. Restitution is required, he said.&quot;Stolen wealth be returned to the public coffers from which it was taken. Many of those implicated will not be impoverished by such reparation, yet the nation remains poor if the funds are not restored,&quot; said the prelate. &quot;Retribution in this sense is not personal vengeance but the rightful act of giving back what was stolen, so that the people may finally benefit from resources meant for their welfare.&quot;The CBCP president encouraged the younger flock to express their outrage and take steps to shame corruption.&quot;To our young people: you hold the keys to a new culture. You live in the digital space where truth and lies battle daily. Use your platforms not only for outrage, but for vigilance. Expose injustice, share facts, demand reforms. Make corruption shameful again,&quot; he said.Among the concrete steps needed to be taken, he said, is to: 1. Be vigilant and vocal - Let us not allow cynicism to numb our outrage. 2. Reject patronage politics - Let us refuse to trade our votes for favors, and instead demand integrity in leadership. 3. Model honesty in daily life - Integrity starts in small things: in the family, the classroom, the workplace, and the barangay. 4. Build communities of truth. Let us share verified information, counter disinformation, and support accountability 5. Join civic and parish initiatives. Let us work together in movements for good governance, ecological justice, and social renewal. 6 Support an independent probe - Let us unite in calling for the creation of an independent committee to investigate corruption in flood-control projects and other&#x27; budget insertions. 7. Demand justice, not impunity - Let us insist on legal action, including criminal charges against those guilty of systematically plundering public funds. <div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/9/6/-clean-your-house-first-bersamin-blasts-lawmakers-on-flood-control-projects-1945">&#x27;Clean your House first!&#x27; Bersamin blasts lawmakers on flood-control projects</a></div> 8 Lead by example in the Church - Let our dioceses, parishes, and Church institutions model transparency and accountability, instituting reforms where needed. 9 Live modestly, resist excess - To our leaders in government, business, and the Church, we appeal: let us reject extravagance and mindless consumerism, and embrace a life of simplicity and solidarity with the poor.

The Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines on Saturday demanded the return of stolen wealth amid anomalous flood control projects in the country.

The Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines on Saturday demanded the return of stolen wealth amid anomalous flood control projects in the country.

CBCP on flood control projects: 'Make corruption shameful again'

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CBCP on flood control projects: 'Make corruption shameful again'

Dennis Gasgonia,

ABS-CBN News

Published Sep 07, 2025 12:05 AM PHT

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CBCP

Cardinal Pablo Virgilio David

Shame

Corruption

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