Cardinal David slams 'worst corruption scandal in history,' urges vigilance
MANILA, Philippines — Kalookan Bishop Cardinal Pablo Virgilio David condemned the “worst corruption scandal in the history of Philippine governance,” saying that it aggravated the crises the country is facing.
During his homily on the feast day of Christ the King on Sunday, November 23, David lamented the crises currently plaguing the country, noting that sequential calamities—including earthquakes, storms, fires and floods—have been compounded by this unprecedented corruption scandal.
"Inaanyayahan ko kayong humugot ng liwanag at pag-asa sa ipinagdiriwang nating kapistahan sa araw na ito—ang Kapistahan ng Kristong Hari," David said.
(I invite you to draw light and hope from the feast we are celebrating today—the Feast of Christ the King.)
David linked the need to gaze upon the Cross with the deplorable scenes of corruption.
It was necessary, he said, for us to see the “large bundles of one-thousand-peso bills laid out on the table to be divided” alongside the destruction of homes due to earthquakes.
"…Ang pagkalunod nga ating mga kababayan dahil sa matinding pagbaha na dulot ng pang-aabuso sa kalikasan at pagnanakaw sa mga pondong pang-flood control. Kailangang mapagmasdan ang mga batang nag-aagaw buhay sa ospital dahil pinagkaitan ng pondo ang healthcare," he said.
(The drowning of our fellow citizens due to severe flooding, caused by environmental abuse and the theft of flood control funds. We must observe the children fighting for their lives in the hospital because healthcare was deprived of funding.)
In a rally after the Mass, David also urged the faithful to be vigilant against a “culture of dishonesty.”
"Ang pera ng bayan ay dapat mapunta sa mga proyektong tunay na magtataguyod sa kabutihang panlahat. Hindi dapat maging normal kailanman ang kultura ng katiwalian," David said.
(Public funds should go to projects that truly promote the common good. The culture of corruption should never be normalized.)
"Walang magbabago sa gubyerno kung walang mananagot sa dapat papanagutin," he added.
(Nothing will change in the government if those who should be held accountable are not held to account.)
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