Bishops Demand broad‌ Probe into ⁤Flood Project Corruption

MANILA – The Catholic Bishops’ conference of the ‌philippines ‍(CBCP)‍ is calling for a extensive investigation into corruption surrounding flood control projects, ⁢extending accountability beyond ⁢contractors to include ​legislators, engineers, auditors, and political​ sponsors. ​The call⁤ came in a pastoral letter released ⁤Saturday, ⁤signed by⁤ CBCP president Cardinal Pablo Virgilio David.

The bishops emphasized that​ public condemnation‍ should be “inclusive,” stating, ⁣”Legislators, district engineers, government auditors, and political patrons also share in‌ the plunder,” alongside private contractors and financiers.‌ Cardinal David directly ⁤referenced ⁣recent hearings, noting the rebuke “Mahiya naman kayo!” (Have some ⁣shame!) was solely directed at ​contractors.

The CBCP also raised concerns about ​the impartiality⁣ of current investigating bodies, questioning their credibility given potential​ institutional⁤ involvement. “How credible ‍are these inquiries when the very institutions conducting them are ‍themselves implicated? Who inserted these national projects into the budget as pork,​ ofen at the expense⁢ of‍ education, health and social programs?” the letter stated.

Beyond punishment,the bishops stressed the ​importance of recovering stolen funds. “Stolen wealth must 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,” they wrote.

The⁤ CBCP supports the formation of ⁢an autonomous committee to investigate anomalies and urged citizens, particularly young people, to utilize digital platforms to promote vigilance, transparency, and demand reform. The letter concluded with a call for self-reflection⁣ within the‌ Church itself, acknowledging past failures in addressing corruption.