Caritas approached to support civilian-military junta

MANILA, Philippines — People pushing for a civilian-military junta have allegedly sought the support of Caritas Philippines president Kidapawan Bishop Jose Colin Bagaforo, and possibly even other religious officials.

Bagaforo, co-convenor of the Trillion Peso March (TPM) Movement, said that just like Sen. Panfilo Lacson, he was also approached by people who asked that he support a civilian-military junta government.

But the 71-year-old prelate declined. “Sabi ko ‘kalma lang’ (I said ‘let’s calm down’),” he said.

“First, we should follow the democratic process. We should not throw away our Constitution. We still have some trust and confidence in the democratic process. Second, we have a problem. I mean, if only a small part of the house is on fire, they should not burn down the entire house. We should only address the small fire in the house,” Bagaforo added.

He believed that apart from him, those spearheading the move for a military-junta government might have also approached other religious leaders.

Bagaforo said that Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) president Pablo Virgilio Cardinal David of Kalookan was being wooed by different groups, but Bagaforo did not specify the agenda of these groups.

He was certain that his position on military intervention was shared by David. In fact, they discussed this last Nov. 19 when they met during the CBCP Permanent Council meeting.

“It is clear to us what we are fighting for, and our stand on corruption is clear” – to expose, prosecute, to correct and to imprison those responsible for the ghost and substandard flood control projects, Bagaforo said.

In their unity statement, the TPM Movement made it clear that their gathering on Nov. 30 was not intended to oust President Marcos and Vice President Sara Duterte, nor would the gathering be used to support military adventurism, but instead, the TPM wants to uphold the democratic process.

“In the face of the deepening culture of impunity, we should not be trapped between false choices. No Marcos, definitely no Duterte, nor an unelected junta, can represent our anger and hope,” it said.

“President Marcos needs to answer for the level of corruption that has ballooned under his administration. The Dutertes must never be allowed to hijack our movement and wash their blood-stained hands. We also warn against undemocratic calls for military intervention towards instilling an unelected junta or revolutionary government,” it added.

March vs corruption

On Sunday, Nov. 30, the church-led second TPM would gather at the People Power Monument along EDSA once more and with one voice, denounce the massive corruption in flood control projects of the Department of Public Works and Highways.

Various sectors would link arms and call for an end to corruption and political dynasties in the country.

“Corruption and political dynasties are twin heads of the same monster… On one side, systemic corruption has crippled the country’s development, siphoning the nation’s coffers from the poor. On the other side, political families who rule together and plunder together,” TPM said.

The group outlined five key demands: transparency in investigations, recovery of allegedly stolen funds, conviction of corrupt officials, respect for the Constitution and passage of the anti-dynasty law to prevent the concentration of political power.

“Political families will not give in to the above-mentioned demands willingly. We must build the momentum and alliances that will make these demands inevitable. Our leaders should know that these are not optional requests, but the people’s ultimatum. These are not privileges, but the bare minimum required of a democratic government,” the group added.

While some the organizers are foreseeing a bigger crowd turnout in EDSA on Nov. 30 compared to the 80,000 to 120,000 estimated during their first Trillion Peso March last Sept. 21, Bagaforo gave a more conservative estimate of 50,000. — Pia Lee-Brago, Christine Boton