Graft and corruption is our country’s biggest problem right now. Who is to be blamed for letting this happen? Us? This article should be the lightning rod for us Filipinos to do something. As what HE Bishop Socrates said, we must face this problem courageously NOW.
I am posting in full an article written by Fr. Socrates Villegas, Bishop of Balanga.
“To steal is wrong. It is a crime. It is a sin. When stealing is done by those high up in power and authority, it carries a greater culpability. The corruption of the best is the worst. The social problem of graft and corruption in public life in our country has reached abominable and embarrassing proportions. How shall we describe graft and corruption in our country? It is systemic. It is rewarding. It hurts the poor the most.
Graft and corruption is systemic and structural. It is not only individual or isolated persons who corrupt and get corrupted. The present system—the elected and the electors, the employers and the employees, the appointed and the appointing powers—has become so corrupt that what we do need is a radical, systemic, interior change. Changing personages through the electoral process or even through legal processes like impeachment and court suits will not necessarily result in reform unless there is a willingness to change from the heart and soul. Pinning our hopes on legal processes unaccompanied by conversion from within will lead us to nowhere but deeper frustrations. We can hear the protest “Tama na. Sobra na. Alis na.. Kami naman!”. It is important that those who investigate or prosecute corrupt officials will not gain political or financial benefits from convicting or absolving the accused.
Graft and corruption is rewarding and rewarded. It is hardly punished. The politicization of the judiciary and the perennial rumors about rogues in robes are problems we need to address urgently. Vigilance is lacking.. Political will is weak. Prosecution plays favorites. The penal system is flawed. Pardon and clemency is cheap. Among our people, there is an increasing level of tolerance for corrupt officials. Corruption does not seem to anger many of us anymore. We are not outraged enough by graft and corruption.. Widespread graft has sadly numbed our morals.
The public money that goes to graft is money stolen from the poor. Because of graft and corruption, schools buildings cannot be constructed and teachers are not paid; public hospitals cannot protect us from untimely death; soldiers are deprived of their just wages.
Our biggest problem in our country is graft and corruption. This problem must be faced courageously now. We are risking the life of our nation if we continue to ignore it. I appeal to the consciences of our countrymen. Do not leave the solution of graft and corruption to corrupt officials. Our problem cannot be our solution. 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. Faith in God and outrage at sin go together. Outrage is not enough; it must lead to action. If we are not outraged by the sin of stealing 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!
I place this appeal at the feet of Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal.”
From the Cathedral of Saint Joseph, Balanga City, November 27, 2008
+SOCRATES B. VILLEGAS
Bishop of Balanga
Photocredit: google image
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3 responses so far ↓
myepinoy // Dec 17, 2008 at 6:07 pm
from the Zeitgeist Movement:
The Distortion and Paralysis:
“When we understand that all systems are Emergent and constantly in a state of evolution, along with the reality that we are all Symbiotically connected to nature and each other in the most simple yet profound ways, forcing the realization that our personal integrity is only as high as the integrity of the rest of society, we then see how twisted and backwards our social establishments are and how their perpetuation is largely the cause of the social instability in society. For example, the Monetary System has been long deemed a positive force in society due to its claim to produce incentive and progress. In actuality, the monetary system has become a vehicle for division and totalitarian control.
It is the ultimate form of “Divide and Conquer” for at its very core are the assumptions that (1) We must fight each other in order to survive. (2) Humans must have this reward “Incentive” to do anything meaningful.
As far as Number 1 (We must fight each other in order to survive.), this characteristic of ‘competition’ in the system guarantees corruption in society on every level, for the basis is “us against them”. Many argue that the “free market system” is good… but it is corrupt in the modern day due to bad policies, favoritism, bailouts, etc. They assume that if a “pure” free market was allowed to flourish then it would be okay. This is false, for what you are seeing today IS the Free market at work, with all its differential advantage and corruption. No laws will ever stop the insider trading, collusion, monopoly, labor abuse, pollution, planned obsolescence or the like… this is what the competition based system produces without fail, for it is based on the premise of taking advantage of others for profit. Period.
....
Now, putting things into perspective, it is important to understand that our world is currently run, undeniably, by a small group of dominant men in high positions of those institutions which are most dominant in society- Business and Finance. The establishment of government is in tandem with the influence and power of corporations and banks. The life blood is money, which is, in fact, an illusion that now has little relevance to society and serves as a tool for manipulation and division along a kind of social organization that guarantees elitism, crime, war and social stratification.”
Kyels // Dec 17, 2008 at 10:38 pm
Interesting article. Every country has its own problems and needs to be solved either immediately through various methods but the politicians tend to delay towards their own benefits.
I guess there’s nothing we can do but to oppose their decisions – sometimes.
Let’s welcome the New Year 2009 with HOPE in our HEARTS : The D Spot // Dec 30, 2008 at 11:46 am
[...] countrymen, let’s do our share, even in our small way, in fighting graft and corruption, the country’s biggest problem. Let us also be sensitive to the needs of those who have less [...]
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