The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP), in a statement released on Monday, September 7, called on government officials to uphold the integrity of the ongoing investigation into alleged corruption in flood control projects, warning that any attempt to shift Senate leadership or redirect inquiries would deepen public suspicion of a cover-up.
Quoting Luke 12:2–3 — “Nothing is concealed that will not be revealed, nor secret that will not be known. Therefore whatever you have said in the dark will be heard in the light” — the CBCP emphasized the moral imperative for truth and accountability in the face of mounting revelations of budget anomalies and duplicate infrastructure allocations.
“The Filipino people are watching closely,” the CBCP President Pablo Virgilio S. Cardinal David said.
“After the revelations of massive anomalies in flood control projects, any move to change Senate leadership or redirect investigations now would only heighten public suspicion of a cover-up.”
The bishops reiterated their support for the Independent Commission on Infrastructure (ICI), which was formed to restore public trust in government infrastructure spending. They stressed that the ICI must be allowed to operate “fully and freely, without political interference from any branch of government.”
The CBCP outlined key elements of the ICI’s mandate, including:
– Transparency in proceedings, findings, and recommendations
– Unrestricted access to documents and witnesses, even those shielded by political privilege
– Full disclosure of budget insertions and project allocations, particularly those linked to unprogrammed or duplicate DPWH projects
– Protection for whistleblowers and technical personnel acting in good faith
“We strongly oppose any attempt to pre-empt or derail the investigation through backroom deals, leadership takeovers, or selective justice,” the statement read. “A nation cannot heal when its moral arteries are clogged by corruption and self-interest.”
Calling the moment “defining” for public accountability, the CBCP urged both Congress and Malacañang to demonstrate that they serve the common good rather than partisan interests. “Let the truth flow freely. Let the ICI do its work — thoroughly, transparently, and without fear or favor.”
The bishops concluded with a firm stance: “No to a whitewash. Yes to full accountability. Only through truth can our nation begin to rebuild trust and ensure that flood control no longer becomes another flood of corruption.”
The CBCP also invited the public to join a National Day of Prayer and Public Repentance, with the official prayer released on October 5. (ZIA LUNA)
