MANILA, Philippines — Months after President Marcos told corrupt government officials, “Mahiya naman kayo” (have some shame), Caloocan Bishop Pablo Virgilio Cardinal David yesterday called on the Chief Executive to get to work – “Magtrabaho naman kayo!”
In his speech yesterday at the EDSA People Power Monument during the Trillion Peso March, David said Marcos should support moves to give the Independent Commission for Infrastructure more power to conduct a real transparent investigation on flood control corruption.
“We would follow the rule of law. But we should give the law more teeth and we, the citizenry, will help in the citizens’ participatory audit, in the ground validation of the infrastructure projects. We will no longer allow for these projects, which are extremely needed for the country’s development, to turn into ghosts,” David said.
The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines president also reminded government leaders that the country’s current government is the fruit of the 1986 EDSA people power revolution and that they took an oath to uphold and defend the 1987 Constitution.
In February, it will be 40 years since that historic bloodless revolt.
“Our democratic system is not perfect but this is better than nothing. It is a work in progress. That is why we are here, to complete the EDSA Revolution, a peaceful revolution – a work in progress,” David said.
The country is again going through a difficult corruption crisis, and according to David the most “malignant form of cancer” is the political dynasties.
Accountability
Meanwhile, human rights organization Amnesty International (AI) Philippines expressed solidarity with calls to investigate corruption and hold to account those involved in the plunder of government coffers.
In a statement coinciding with the nationwide protest actions, AI Philippines called for urgent measures to “dismantle the political culture that enables corruption,” which it said further results in violation of human rights.
“Corruption, abuse of power and a deeply entrenched culture of impunity continue to deprive Filipinos of basic economic, social and cultural rights,” the organization said.
The organization urged the Marcos administration to strengthen national legal and institutional frameworks to fight corruption and improve accountability, saying it is the government’s obligation to safeguard the rights of the people by preventing violations both by officials and private actors.
Continued protests
For various labor groups, the protest against corruption does not end with yesterday’s Trillion Peso March but will push on in the coming days.
NAGKAISA chair Sonny Matula called on the people to revive the teachings of the Kartilya ng Katipunan, which directly condemns the plunder of public funds as well as extrajudicial killings.
Meanwhile, Kilusang Mayo Uno reiterated calls to oust both President Marcos and Vice President Sara Duterte, and to establish a transition council in their stead.
Organizers of the Trillion Peso March previously noted that they would not support any action that violates the Constitution.
Prayer rally held in Belgium
Filipino students at the Katholieke Universiteit Leuven in Leuven City, Belgium – the oldest Catholic university in the world – held a prayer rally on Friday to denounce corruption in government.
Theology students organized the event, which included participation from students and professors across departments, as well as Filipino migrants in Belgium.
“Corruption is an abuse of power and authority, which erodes the dignity, rights, and future of our people,” the students said. — Janvic Mateo, Mayen Jaymalin