Cardinal Advincula urges Filipinos to fight corruption with peaceful but concrete action

The head of Manila’s Roman Catholic Church called on Filipinos to take “concrete but peaceful and non-violent actions” against corruption, describing it as “one of the vilest scams in the history of our nation.”

“The issue of corruption plaguing our nation cannot be ignored anymore,” Cardinal Jose Advincula of Manila said in a pastoral statement issued Monday, Sept. 15.

Advincula urged parishes, shrines, mission stations, and religious communities to organize prayerful reflections, circles of discernment, and civic initiatives against corruption.

While stressing that protests and public actions must remain peaceful, he said they reflect “the people’s collective moral conviction” rather than mere political opposition.

“In a healthy democracy, the people’s fiscalizing participation in governance is not confined to the election season,” Advincula said. “It continues between elections, by holding leaders accountable through acts of vigilance, discernment, and when necessary, protest.”

The cardinal’s statement comes as more than 200 sectoral groups and church organizations prepare to hold twin rallies in Metro Manila on Sept. 21 to denounce alleged massive corruption in flood control projects.

The demonstrations — in Luneta Park in Manila and at the People Power Monument in Quezon City — will coincide with the 53rd anniversary of late President Ferdinand Marcos Sr.’s declaration of martial law, a date heavy with symbolism under the administration of his son, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.

Advincula denounced corruption as “a concrete form of evil”, accusing “callous individuals both in government and the private sector” of drowning Filipinos in its “floodwaters.”

“Let us put our country and the people’s interest foremost in our mind,” he said. “Let us hope and pray that justice and peace may reign in our hearts, that God will hear from heaven, forgive our sins, and heal our broken land.” (CBCP News)

A version of this article was first published by CBCP News.