Philippine Jesuits call for urgent probe, reforms amid ‘massive corruption’

MANILA, Philippines — The Commission on the Social Apostolate of the Philippine Jesuits has joined voices with the nation in condemning what it described as “large-scale, systemic corruption” devastating government institutions and public trust.

In a statement released on Friday, the group called out the widespread misuse of government funds, saying that an estimated 20% of the national budget—or roughly P2 trillion—is reportedly lost to corruption each year, citing data from the World Bank, Asian Development Bank and the International Monetary Fund.

The statement also cited Sen. Panfilo "Ping" Lacson’s revelation that, over the last decade, approximately P1 trillion of flood control funds had been siphoned off by private companies in coordination with Department of Public Works and Highways officials and politicians, contributing to substandard or “ghost” infrastructure projects.

“Corruption kills,” the Jesuits quoted a 2023 IMF report, while Pope Francis noted, “corruption is paid by the poor.”

“Unless efforts are made toward good governance, the worsening floods and disasters will continue to claim lives, destroy livelihoods, and displace millions,” the group warned.

The Jesuits outlined immediate measures they said are necessary to restore transparency and accountability.

They urged the government to conduct independent investigations of all anomalous infrastructure projects and extend the review to other departments, including the Bureau of Customs and the Department of Education, as well as the use of controversial Confidential Funds.

They also called on Congress to enact laws targeting the root causes of corruption, including the anti-political dynasty provision, reforms to the party-list system, passage of the Freedom of Information and Whistleblowers Acts, and public disclosure of all officials’ Statements of Assets, Liabilities, and Net Worth (SALNs).

The statement urged that the deliberations of Congress’ bicameral committee, which oversees budget insertions implicated in the DPWH anomalies, be made transparent and open to civil society participation.

“Corruption has become deep and wide in our society. For the future of our country and our youth, we must courageously deal with it now,” the statement read, adding that the Church, schools and families must instill values of honesty, humility, integrity, hard work and genuine service in the next generation.

The statement was signed by Fr. Nono Alfonso, SJ; Fr. Silvino Borres, SJ; Fr. Manoling Francisco, SJ; Fr. Karel San Juan, SJ; Fr. Jose Villarin, SJ; Rene dG. Banez; Marlene Gatpatan-Bedia; and Dr. Anna Marie Karaos, PhD.