The social action arm of the Philippine Catholic Church has called on the public to join a nationwide movement to end corruption in government.

Caritas Philippines has called on dioceses, social action centers, and program partners across the country to ensure accountability for those guilty of anomalies.

In a letter released on August 25, Bishop Jose Colin Bagaforo of Kidapawan, president of Caritas Philippines, said the courage of those who sacrificed for the country is betrayed because of widespread corruption and unaddressed irregularities in government projects.

He recalled the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines’ pastoral letter May Pag-Asa Pa Ba? which pointed to national challenges in morality, ecology, economy, politics, and governance but affirmed that “there is hope.” 

“We sense a strong surge of hope, above all, in the feeling of uneasiness and disturbance – symptoms of an inner affliction, prodding us that something is wrong, yet at the same time urging us that something can and must be done within, among ourselves, and our institutions,” the letter said. 

Bagaforo noted that President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. “has clearly identified what is wrong: the unprecedented scale of corruption in government,” citing “sub-standard, uncompleted and ghost flood control projects and other infrastructure developments under the Department of Public Works Highways.”

Caritas Philippines urged its nationwide network of social action centers in 87 dioceses and archdioceses to help launch a movement backing efforts to end corruption in government, support officials pursuing truth, and ensure accountability for those found guilty.

The organization outlined four priorities: to “demand truth and accountability” through transparent investigations, “pursue justice” by filing cases against the guilty, “educate and mobilize” communities on the impact of corruption, and “strengthen people’s participation” in monitoring the national budget.

Quoting Pope Francis, Bagaforo said, “Who pays for corruption?… the poor pay for corruption!” He stressed that the Jubilee Year is a call for “personal, institutional, and ecclesial conversion in order to rediscover hope.”

“Today, God is giving us the opportunity to be part of this effort to rid our society and government of the scourge of corruption,” he added.