The Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) on Saturday, September 6, called on those involved in anomalous flood control projects to return what they described as stolen wealth to the government.
In a strongly worded statement, CBCP President and Caloocan Cardinal Pablo Virgilio David condemned what he called the “anatomy of corruption” in public works projects.
“For years, the anatomy of corruption in public works has been public knowledge. Senator Panfilo Lacson laid it bare. Mayors like Benjamin Magalong and Vico Sotto confirmed that a multi-layered system of ‘commissions’ often consumes sixty percent of project funds, leaving less than half for construction,” David said.
He added: “In recent hearings, the rebuke ‘Mahiya naman kayo!’ was directed only at contractors. But shame must be inclusive: legislators, district engineers, government auditors, and political patrons also share in the plunder. Equally guilty are private contractors and financiers who collude in this racket.”
David insisted that beyond criminal charges, genuine justice requires the restitution of ill-gotten wealth.
“Stolen wealth 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,” he stressed.
He further explained: “Retribution in this sense is not personal vengeance but the rightful act of giving back what was stolen, so that the people may finally benefit from resources meant for their welfare.”
The Cardinal also urged the youth not to stay silent, but to openly express outrage at corruption in government—saying their future is at stake.