MANILA, Philippines – Former senator Jovito Salonga yesterday said that the problems of poverty, corruption, injustice and criminality are getting worse in the country as he appealed to the people to unite and work toward national transformation.
Salonga, who is emeritus chairman of Kilosbayan, said that he has been involved in politics for more than 30 years and has been very much aware of the condition of the country. He mentioned the four major ills of society, namely poverty, corruption in government, worsening criminality and injustice.
“I have been trying to be a good Christian, with all my sins and shortcomings. My model is Jesus. He walked with the poor. He cared for those whom everybody ignored. That is why we organized Kilosbayan-Bantay Katarungan – to promote public concerns and promote public interests to modernize or improve the system,” said Salonga.
He said that even the judiciary branch of government is not spared from corruption and injustice. He said there has been recent news about Court of Appeals Justice Jose Sabio Jr. who reportedly “experienced the corruption and injustice in the CA.”
The former senator believed that the CA has to undergo legal reforms.
These four ills of society prompted several religious and education organizations to form one group called the Coalition for National Transformation (CNT). Tapped as chairman was PJM Bishop Leo Alconga while Sr. Mary John Mananzan, of AMRSP, is the vice chairman.
The CNT is composed of the Association of Major Religious Superiors in the Philippines (AMRSP), the Philippines for Jesus Movement (PJM), Jesus is Lord (JIL), Catholic Educational Association of the Philippines (CEAP), Association of Christian Schools, Colleges and Universities (ACSCC) and the United Church of Christ in the Philippines (UCCP).
The group, which was formally launched at De La Salle University along Taft Avenue yesterday afternoon, said that while some of them have been involved in other advocacies in the past, it was clear when they were formalizing CNT that they would all be supportive of their new group’s ambition.
“The main focus of the group is socio-cultural-spiritual transformation to convert the nation into a just society from which shall spring forth a regime of good governance and responsible citizenship,” Sr. Mananzan said.
They said that their group’s vision is beyond the election year 2010. They realized that their goals cannot be met overnight and that it would be a long-term effort on their part.
“Addressing socioeconomic-political issues without fixing the Filipino’s inner self is like treating the effects of the problem instead of the root cause,” she added.