Statement on the flood projects controversy

As professors of a Catholic and a Benedictine university, we decry as an offense against God and against his people the remorseless diversion of funds intended for public welfare, particularly for projects meant to alleviate fellow Filipinos who suffer from inundation, to private interests and individual accounts.

We recall the prophetic words of Isaiah (5:8) who condemned similar evils in his day, whose word of reproof, divinely inspired, holds true today:

“Ah, you who join house to house, who add field to field, until there is room for no one but you, and you are left to live alone in the midst of the land.”

As professors of law, of politics and of juridical science, we reject the perpetuation of a system of bribes, “cuts,” “contributions,” “obligations” by which contractors, legislators and other public servants receive a “share” from the amount allocated for a project. This violates every precept of justice and decency. It is money to which none is entitled and that must go completely into the accomplishment of public works.

We urge officials, particularly on the national level, who have been tagged in questionable if not clearly illegal transactions to go on leaves of absence or perhaps to resign so that the impartiality and credibility of the investigations presently ongoing may not be compromised or diluted.

We urge caution in regard to discharging ostensibly culpable individuals as “state witnesses,” because those who have profited obscenely from the plunder of public coffers should not so easily be set free by the expedient of naming their partners in crime and their co-conspirators in the betrayal of public trust.

We laud the creation of the Independent Commission on Infrastructure and we shall follow its proceedings with keen interest. While it should not be hampered by the technical rules of evidence that bind courts of law, it should nevertheless be fair and should listen to as many as have direct knowledge both with the facts as well as the science and technology of constructions. We propose that its scope be limited because assigning it too broad a field to investigate may hamper the force of the investigation and its effectiveness, both as a means of addressing accountability and as a deterrent.

We urge it to look into the systemic corruption that can be addressed only systemically. Firing officials will not be enough if institutions and systems spawn corrupt practices. To be long lasting and meaningful, institutions and systems must be addressed.

While we understand that mass action calls the attention of government officials and public servants to the seething rage of the nation that feels that it has been betrayed, we must nevertheless urge restraint. We reject violence directed at anyone – whether suspect or perceived to be guilty. We ask all to abide by the rule of law. We soundly repudiate all calls to violent action or worse, to the overthrow of government. We ask responsibility of all who participate in mass action. Through this paper, we hope to have fulfilled even if only in modest measure  what the Church asks of us in the Pastoral Constitution on the Church in the Modern World (Gaudium et Spes) of Vatican II:

“Christians who take an active part in modern socio-economic developments and defend justice and charity should be convinced that they can make a contribution to the prosperity of mankind and the peace of the world. Whether they do so as individuals or in association, let their example be a shining one. After acquiring whatever skills and experience are absolutely necessary, they should, in faithfulness to Christ and his Gospel, observe the right order of values in their earthly activities.” (n. 72)

We are shocked by the extent of the corruption that has been brought to light. We are certainly dismayed that the nation has been defrauded in the billions. We are disturbed that high-ranking officials, on whom public trust has been reposed, have been named as participants in wrong-doing.

But we are never without hope. The Church reminds, in this Jubilee Year, that we are pilgrims of hope. It is in the hope that we can draw from the precious reserves of resoluteness on the part of every Filipino, inspired by faith, sustained by hope and moved by love, to bring the healing for which our country cries out – from wounds we have many times inflicted on ourselves! – Professors of the Graduate School of Law, San Beda University