CARDINAL Pablo Virgilio David on Sunday (Sept. 21) called on government officials involved in corruption to return their massive loot to public coffers.
Speaking before thousands of protesters during the “Trillion Peso March” at the EDSA People Power Monument, David said the public was looking for immediate results to various investigations into the flood control mess, not empty words or grandstanding.
“Ang taong bayan ay naghahanap ng kongkretong solusyon, hindi mga hungkag na salita… hindi mga palabas na politika, hindi ‘yong walang katapusang delaying tactics,” the Kalookan bishop and president of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) said.
Stressing that corruption is not only about stealing government funds but also stealing the future, David emphasized that the march was not a political protest but a moral stance.
“[Ito ay isang] pagkilos ng pananampalataya at pagkakaisa laban sa kultura ng katiwalian na patuloy na nagnanakaw sa dangal ng tao, nagpapalubog sa mahihirap at sumisira sa kinabukasan ng ating bansa,” he said.
Echoing his pastoral letter for the CBCP, David urged the laity to be vigilant and reject patronage politics and political dynasties.
He also urged the public, particularly the youth, to share only verified information, fight social media trolls, and be present in the digital space to combat the spread of lies.
He called on President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to prioritize a bill creating an independent commission to investigate the flood control project anomalies and alleged budget insertions.
“Tama na, sobra na, ikulong na, wag na nating hahayaang mamatay na lang ang usaping ito,” the cardinal added.
Addressing government officials involved in the flood control mess, the CBCP president said there was still time for repentance and conversion, and told them, “isauli ninyo ang hindi inyo.”
“Hindi tayo magkakaroon ng katarungan kung walang pagsisisi. Huwag tayong sumagot ng karahasan o pananahimik o pagwawalang bahala. Sasagutin natin ito ng pananampalataya, ng lakas ng loob at ng pagkakaisa,” David said.
Earlier, Bishop Elias Ayuban of the Diocese of Cubao and Kidapawan Bishop Colin Bagaforo, chairman of Caritas Philippines, presided over separate Masses at the EDSA People Power Monument and National Shrine of Mary, Queen of Peace, respectively. A.G.C. Mansineros
