BACOLOD CITY — I have not read so strong an accusation of corruption here than the one recently released by Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines President and Jaro Archbishop Angel Lagdameo, together with four other Bishops.

The Lagdameo statement accused President Arroyo and her administration as corrupt, that there is social and moral cancer, and a need for having a new government.

Lagdameo is joined by Lingayen-Dagupan Archbishop Oscar Cruz, Masbate Bishop Joel Baylon, Banga-Bata-an Bishop Socrates Villegas, and Legazpi Bishop Emeritus Jose Sorra.

Lagdameo told the press, the stand was his as Jaro Archbishop and not of CBCP, a product of “communal discernment” with the four other Bishops in calling for immediate reforms.

Lagdameo did not want to make that stand on behalf of CBCP but he knows many Bishops join him in his thinking.

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Justice Secretary Raul Gonzalez accused the Bishops of making statements that border on sedition.Cardinal Vidal did not agree with Lagdameo.Other businessmen, too.

Truly there is hunger in the rural areas.Government has not helped the farmers become productive.

And the Bishops have seen it.They and we have seen the country bleed.They and we have seen the hunger in the rural areas.

They and we have seen how corruption thrives even in the lowest unit of government, the barangays.

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These cannot be covered up by glowing press releases.

The leadership must do something.But, because in the perception of many, there are no tangible and effective solutions to corruption being done, thus the call.

I cannot help quoting the strong words of Lagdameo.

“In response to the global economic crisis and the pitiful state of our country, the time to rebuild economically, socially, and politically is now.

“The time to start radical reforms is now.The time for moral regeneration is now.The time to conquer complacency, cynicism, and apathy and to prove that we have matured from our political disappointment is now.

“The time to prepare a new government is now.”

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I salute the Bishops.But, wait, let me ask, who are we?Are we not the only Catholic country in Asia?And yet, are we not the most corrupt?Is there no relationship between being Catholic and being the most corrupt?And, like other Catholic countries, we are among the most backward too.Is there that relationship?

I want to seek the kind indulgence of my best friend, Bishop Vicente M. Navarra who, to me, is very worthy of respect.

Cardinal Jaime Sin drove Ferdinand Marcos out of office because Marcos was corrupt.Result, corruption became much worse.His action did not help.He then, drove Joseph Estrada out of office.The result, much much worse, corruption multiplied many times, resulting in our becoming the most corrupt country in the world.

If we follow Archbishop Lagdameo, plunderers might take over.I am not defending the President.My hope is just to awaken our religious leaders to reality.Why is our country the most corrupt and why is economy very bad?What have our Catholic leaders done?One of our problems is the uncontrolled population growth.

And our Bishops are just good in barking against corruption.And we can conclude public officials are not afraid of them.

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I have long suggested, that the Church must form anti-corruptions watchdogs, composed of civic groups, lawyers, accountants, others.They receive complaints of corruption, prepare the cases, and file them in court.The Church raises funds to use for prosecution.Charge the corrupt whoever they are.Then give these cases the widest publicity.Shame them.

I ask them to sit down and make a serious study why is the only Catholic country in Asia the most corrupt?And why was Cardinal Sin’s driving Marcos and later Estrada from office made corruption in the country worse?

Are we far from God?

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I remember Porfirio Diaz, president and dictator of Mexico was ousted and sent to exile after being accused. The Americans took over business interests in Mexico and the Catholic groups working on his ouster and exile.

One quotation made Porfirio Diaz always remembered, “Ay, pobre Mejico.Tanto lejos de Dios y tanto circa a los Americanos.”“Ay, poor Mexico, so far from God and so near the Americans.”

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