Bishop tells Pinoys: Fight corruption or lose your soul

11/28/2008

Balanga, Bataan Bishop Socrates Villegas yesterday said there are only two options left for Filipinos as the country suffers most from graft and corrupt practices.

He said Filipinos should either “Fight it or perish!”

In a statement he will place at the feet of Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal at the Cathedral of St. Joseph in Balanga, the prelate said “when stealing is done by those high up in power and authority, it carries a greater culpability.” He added stealing is wrong as it is a crime and a sin.

Referring to recent events in the country where graft and corrupt practices have been reported in the media, Bishop Villegas said “the corruption of the best is the worst” because the social problem of graft and corruption has reached “abominable and embarrassing proportions.”

He described graft and corruption in the country as “systemic and rewarding” and hurts the poor the most.

He said graft and corruption is systemic and structural and “not only individual or isolated persons who corrupt and get corrupted.”

He noted elected officials and electors as well as employers and employees along with the appointed and the appointing powers have “become so corrupt that what we do need is a “radical, systemic, interior change.”

He, however, added changing leaders through elections and impeachment and lawsuits will not necessarily result in reform “unless there is a willingness to change from the heart and soul.”

He explained legal processes without conversion will lead to nowhere but deeper frustrations. He suggested that those who conduct investigations and prosecute corrupt officials will not gain political or financial rewards from convicting or absolving the accused.

Villegas said graft and corruption is “rewarding and rewarded” as it is hardly punished.

He acknowledged the politicization of the judiciary and the persistent rumors about rogues in robes that are problems that need immediate solution.

He said the system lacks vigilance and political will is weak as prosecution plays favorites making the penal system flawed, pardon and clemency is cheap.

“Among our people, there is an increasing level of tolerance for corrupt officials,” he noted.

“Corruption does not seem to anger many of us anymore” as most people are no longer outraged by graft and corruption because “widespread graft sadly numbed our morals,” he said.

Villegas, a former auxiliary bishop to outspoken Manila Archbishop Jaime Cardinal Sin, said public money that goes to graft is “money stolen from the poor.”

He traced the government’s failure to build more school buildings and pay teachers well to graft and corruption.

He said public hospitals cannot protect people from untimely death as soldiers are deprived of just wages.

“Our biggest problem in our country is graft and corruption,” he said. He called on the faithful to face the problem courageously because “we are risking the life of our nation if we continue to ignore it.”

“Do not leave the solution of graft and corruption to corrupt officials,” he warned, saying: “Let us come together as Catholic faithful to fight the sin of graft and corruption… we cannot profess faith in God and not get angry at widespread graft and corruption.”

He said “faith in God and outrage at sin go together” though outrage is not enough because it must lead to action.

He posed: “If we are not outraged by the sin of stealing what is happening all over our once beautiful land, could it be that our faith has turned cold and uncaring? If your faith has turned cold and uncaring, how can you be saved?”

“Fight corruption or lose your soul,” he stressed.

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