CBCP PASTORAL LETTER ON FLOOD CONTROL CORRUPTION

CATHOLIC BISHOPS’ CONFERENCE OF THE PHILIPPINES CBCP PASTORAL LETTER ON FLOOD CONTROL CORRUPTION 

September 8, 2025 (Feast of the Nativity of the Blessed Mother) 

 BEYOND SURVIVAL: Rising Above the Floods of Corruption 

 “Let justice roll down like waters, and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream.” (Amos 5:24) 

 Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, Both the Senate and the House of Representatives are now investigating corruption in flood-control projects. Yet we must ask: how credible are these inquiries when the very institutions conducting them are themselves implicated? Who inserted these projects into the national budget as pork, often at the expense of education, health, and social programs? 

The Floods of Corruption 

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. No wonder so many projects are substandard and require constant repairs. 

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. The prophet Isaiah’s words still sting: “Your rulers are rebels, partners with thieves; they all love bribes and run after gifts.” (Isaiah 1:23) 

True justice, however, demands more than punishment. It also calls for restitution: that 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. 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. 

Beyond Survival Politics 

A viral reflection by a Filipina digital strategist and behavioral psychologist, Kia Alvarez Abrera, reminds us: corruption thrives not only because of brazen elites, but because of a survival politics that conditions the poor to reward whoever eases today’s pain with handouts, since long-term promises feel like luxuries. Patronage weaponized utang na loob and pakikisama. Dynasties and disinformation made corruption appear “normal.”

But Christ calls us higher: “I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.” (John 10:10). Survival cannot be the standard of our politics. We must demand visible accountability: quick audits, real penalties, and transparency that people can see. And renewal must also begin with us. Each time we excuse dishonesty or abuse padrino ties, we reinforce the mindset that enables billion-peso theft. St. Paul exhorts us: “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind.” (Romans 12:2) 

And because renewal is a matter of basic human principles, we must also be mindful again of the values formation of the young. The teaching of GMRC (Good Manners and Right Conduct) is a proactive way to shape consciences early. As Robert Fulghum reminded us in his book All I Really Need to Know I Learned in Kindergarten, the most important lessons for living are the simplest: share what you have, play fair, clean up your own mess, don’t take things that aren’t yours, etc. Such values, instilled in the young are essential in building a culture that abhors and resists corruption. 

A Call to Action, Especially for the Young 

As a group of civil society movements has also pledged in their joint statement, accountability must apply to both public officials and private contractors. Blacklisting is not enough; collusion in corruption is a crime and must be punished. 

To our young people: you hold the keys to a new culture. You live in the digital space where truth and lies battle daily. Use your platforms not only for outrage, but for vigilance. Expose injustice, share facts, demand reforms. Make corruption shameful again. 

 CONCRETE STEPS WE MUST TAKE TOGETHER 

 This challenge is not only for government, business, or contractors. It is for all of us, including the Church. We too have often failed, whether by silence, by tolerating corruption in our own ranks, or by not setting a consistent example of integrity. That is why this call begins with us. Together, as one people of God, let us commit ourselves to these steps: 

1. Be vigilant and vocal – Let us not allow cynicism to numb our outrage. 

2. Reject patronage politics – Let us refuse to trade our votes for favors, and instead demand integrity in leadership. 

3. Model honesty in daily life – Integrity starts in small things: in the family, the classroom, the workplace, and the barangay. 

4. Build communities of truth – Let us share verified information, counter disinformation, and support accountability. 

5. Join civic and parish initiatives – Let us work together in movements for good governance, ecological justice, and social renewal. 

6. Support an independent probe – Let us unite in calling for the creation of an independent committee to investigate corruption in flood-control projects and other budget insertions. 

7. Demand justice, not impunity – Let us insist on legal action, including criminal charges against those guilty of systematically plundering public funds. 

8. Lead by example in the Church – Let our dioceses, parishes, and Church institutions model transparency and accountability, instituting reforms where needed. 

9. Live modestly, resist excess – To our leaders in government, business, and the Church, we appeal: let us reject extravagance and mindless consumerism, and embrace a life of simplicity and solidarity with the poor. 

 Conclusion 

If floodwaters rise because public funds are stolen, the greater flood is corruption itself, drowning our nation’s future. Yet God promises: “When you pass through the waters, I will be with you.” (Isaiah 43:2). Let us rise above the floods of corruption together. Let justice roll down like waters across our land. Let us rebuild our nation on truth, justice, and the common good. 

 For the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines: 

 ✠ PABLO VIRGILIO S. CARDINAL DAVID 

 Bishop of Kalookan 

President, Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines

"Are you HAPPY?"

  08/28/2024 Feast of St. Augustine (Conversion Story)

Re: “Are you happy?” (division by paragraphs & caps mine for emphasis)

Fr: Fr. Magdaleno Fabiosa, SVD (2023). Commentary on Aug 25, 21^st Sunday in OT. The Word in other words: Bible diary 2024. Manila: Logos Publications, Inc.

 Jn 6: 69 “ ‘Master, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.”

 “… I remember reading a book entitled Something Beautiful for God, written by Malcolm Muggeridge, an avowed agnostic. He was a famous personality in England. He worked at the BBC which assigned him to do a documentary on Mother Theresa of India. During the time he did this documentary, he became very close to Mother Theresa.

 One afternoon during tea time, Mother Theresa, out of the blue, asked the author, ‘Malcolm, are you HAPPY?”

 The author was taken aback. He could not answer her immediately.

 That evening he went to the office of Mother Theresa and had a private talk with her. There in that conversation, he opened up and told her that he had everything that everybody was running after. “I am successful both financially and professionally. But I am NOT HAPPY. I hope this answers the question you asked this afternoon.”

    Then Mother Theresa said, “Have you ever thought of joining the Church?”

   With a nervous laughter, Muggeridge answered, “I am too far away from God, if ever there is one.”

   Then Mother Theresa retorted with this prophetic statement, “Yes Malcolm that is what God does, he gives you the freedom to be so far away from him so that when he discovers you, you will cling so tightly to him not wanting to let him to.”

 Two years after that stint in India, Malcolm Muggeridge surprised the English world by having himself baptized in the Catholic Church.

 He wrote a book entitled Jesus Rediscovered where he declared his commitment to Jesus. There is a very interesting statement in this book that I still remember. Muggeridge said,

 “In the midst of the confusion and the contradictions in Indian society, what the LIFE of that fragile woman did was speak to me of a God whom I, for so long, took for granted. Discovering him brought SERENITY and PEACE to my life, the kind of peace that the world can never give.”

 =========================================================

 My Commentary:

The other day, I finally "nailed" the quote on a bamboo "poster" I bought years back at the Good Shepherd convent (as far as I could remember) by looking up its source in Sacred Scriptures, that related to the story above:

Psalm 25:4 "Show me your WAYS, O God. Teach me your PATHS; guide me in your TRUTH."

In 1987 or 1988 in Taiwan, this same scenario happened to me. 

It was Fr. Donald Anderson, SVD, our Scottish OTP Director who, inspired by the Holy Spirit, asked this very same question to me.

And, as they say, the rest is history!

Now, I am finally CONVINCED I am where the Lord wants me to be. 

As a proof, I was inspired to have the Wizard of Oz picture painted inside our building for the kids who come here every day for Psychological Assessment & the "yellow brick road" on the floor leading to our offices!

Gan Sye Tien Ju!

=========================================================

confirming quote about daily mass from don bosco

 Be eager to go to Mass on weekdays also, even if it costs a sacrifice. Our Lord will reward you with His Blessings and make you succeed in your undertakings

-Don Bosco

Source: fb Fear Not

the primacy of the holy eucharist

 Re: 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗣𝗼𝘄𝗲𝗿 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗛𝗼𝗹𝘆 𝗠𝗮𝘀𝘀

Fr: fb_Fear Not

At the hour of death the Holy Masses you have heard devoutly will be your greatest consolation.

Every Mass will go with you to Judgment and will plead for your pardon.

By every Mass you can diminish the temporal punishment due to your sins, more or less, according to your fervor.

By devoutly assisting at Holy Mass you render the greatest homage possible to the Sacred Humanity of Our Lord.

Through the Holy Sacrifice, Our Lord Jesus Christ supplies for your negligence and omissions.

Christ forgives you all the venial sins which you are determined to avoid. He forgives you all your unknown sins which you never confessed. The power of Satan over you is diminished.

By piously hearing Holy Mass you afford the Souls in Purgatory the greatest possible relief.

Through Holy Mass you are preserved from many dangers and misfortunes which would otherwise have befallen you. You shorten your Purgatory by every Mass.

Through the Holy Mass you are blessed in your temporal goods and affairs.

When you hear Holy Mass devoutly, offering it to Almighty God in honor of any particular Saint or Angel, thanking God for the favors bestowed on him, etc., you afford that Saint or Angel a new degree of honor, joy and happiness, and draw his special love and protection on yourself.

Every time you assist at Holy Mass, besides other intentions, you should offer it in honor of the Saint of the day.The Power of the Mass Once, St. Teresa was overwhelmed with God's Goodness and asked Our Lord "How can I thank you?" Our Lord replied, "ATTEND ONE MASS."

A great doctor of the Church, St. Anselm, declares that a single Mass offered for oneself during life may be worth more than a thousand celebrated for the same intention after death. St. Leonard of Port Maurice supports this contention saying one Mass before death may be more profitable than many after it.

The Mass is the most perfect form of prayer!

— Pope Paul VI

For each Mass we hear with devotion, Our Lord sends a saint to comfort us at death.

— revelation of Christ to St. Gertrude the Great

The Holy Mass would be of greater profit if people had it offered in their lifetime, rather than having it celebrated for the relief of their souls after death.

— Pope Benedict XV

When we receive Holy Communion, we experience something extraordinary - a joy, a fragrance, a well being that thrills the whole body and causes it to exalt.

— Saint Jean Vianney

The celebration of Holy Mass is as valuable as the death of Jesus on the cross.

— Saint Thomas Aquinas

If we really understood the Mass, we would die of joy.

— Saint Jean Vianney

There is nothing so great as the Eucharist. If God had something more precious, He would have given it to us.

— Saint Jean Vianney

It would be easier for the world to survive without the sun than to do without Holy Mass.

— Saint Pio of Pietrelcina

When we have been to Holy Communion, the balm of love envelops the soul as the flower envelops the bee.

— Saint Jean Vianney

The heavens open and multitudes of angels come to assist in the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass.

—Saint Gregory

The angels surround and help the priest when he is celebrating Mass.

— St. Augustine

When Mass is being celebrated, the sanctuary is filled with countless angels who adore the divine victim immolated on the altar.

— St. John Chrysostom

healing blood of the lamb

 “A rattlesnake bit one of my sheep in the face about a week ago. Deadliest snake that lives around here. The sheep’s face swelled up and hurt her terribly.

But the old rattlesnake didn't know the kind of blood that flows through the sheep. Anti-venom is most often made from sheep's blood. The sheep swelled for about 2 days but the blood of the lamb destroyed the venom of the serpent.

I was worried but the sheep didn't care. She kept on eating, kept on drinking and kept on climbing because she knew she was alright.

Don't worry about the serpent or his bite, just make sure that the Lamb's Blood is flowing through your veins.”

- Author Unknown

failure to pray the family rosary is cause of low vocations & loss of faith

 

let there be peace on earth! 2023