IBP backs Lozada, urges public to join Friday protest[1]
I got this news from the official website of the Philippine Daily Inquirer and let me quote this in full as follows:
IBP president Feliciano Bautista, in a press conference Wednesday morning, said: “We are greatly appalled and concerned by the revelations made by [Chinese firm] ZTE [Corp.]-NBN deal witness Rodolfo ‘Jun’ Lozada, Jr. during the Senate investigation.”
“We condemn and oppose all kinds of corruption. There could be no ‘moderation of greed,’” he said.
Lozada told the Senate that close allies of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo demanded kickbacks from the project. He also claimed that former Commission on Elections chairman Benjamin Abalos Sr., who allegedly brokered the deal between the government and ZTE Corp., threatened to kill him.
“We would like to join the parliament of the streets and denounce the violations of the Constitution and the law,” Bautista said.
He added the IBP is ready to help Lozada and to extend legal assistance to all those who might be prosecuted for joining the Friday protest.
Bautista also said the IBP will “take immediate action” on complaints against lawyers who may have violated their oath and ethics in connection with the Senate investigation into the $329-million deal, which was scrapped following allegations of kickbacks and bribery.
While he declined to name lawyers who might face sanctions, Bautista said a lawyer who forces someone to sign documents violates the profession’s Code of Ethics.
In his testimony to the Senate, Lozada claimed lawyer Antonio Bautista made him sign a letter requesting police protection. The lawyer denied Lozada’s claim. The IBP president said as of now no complaint has been filed against Bautista yet.
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Reflection:
Let me begin my reflection by going directly to the main point of the news. The IBP through its president invited the public to join the parliament of the streets to condemn corruption. This form of protest is a non-violent activity to call the attention of our government leaders to take action to solve our present political crisis. But would the concerned parties heed to the groaning of the people?
Ever since when I was a child I have been hearing news of alleged graft and corruption in our government. Some concerned Filipinos and cause-oriented groups go to the streets to denounce government malpractices. These things already happened during the time of Marcos, Cory, Ramos, Erap and is still happening today. But has this country ever changed? Have we ever changed? As a Filipino citizen, what is my contribution or how did I contribute to this situation?
The Catholic Bishop’s Conference of the
If in your minds, corruption—the worst offender against our common good—is rampant today, sparing no level of social and political life, and most glaringly and reportedly so in the various corridors of power, we have to confess that corruption is in truth our greatest shame as a people. But if it goes on unhindered, it is because…we all too often condone it as part of the perquisites of power and public office.
If Jesus were present today, what would be his attitude towards these things? I could not find an explicit proclamation of Jesus denouncing graft and corruption in the government. But contemplating the face of Jesus in the Bible, I see his attitude towards sin and the sinner in this passage:
Once again he went out along the sea. All the crowd came to him and he taught them. As he passed by, he saw Levi, son of Alphaeus, sitting at the customs post. He said to him, "Follow me." And he got up and followed him. While he was at table in his house, many tax collectors and sinners sat with Jesus and his disciples; for there were many who followed him. Some scribes who were Pharisees saw that he was eating with sinners and tax collectors and said to his disciples, "Why does he eat with tax collectors and sinners?" Jesus heard this and said to them (that), "Those who are well do not need a physician, but the sick do. I did not come to call the righteous but sinners" (Mark
Although in the gospel Jesus dined with tax collectors and sinners, he did not consented with fraud. Instead he invited Levi to follow him. If we have to follow the example of Jesus, perhaps we should not be throwing stones at the corrupt politicians. We have to befriend them yet we should not be in agreement with graft and corrupt practices. As Christians we have to shed light to our government officials and echo Jesus’ invitation to follow in his ways. Our relationship with our government leaders and politicians ought to be life-changing and life-giving.
If we have to go to the streets to hold rallies and demonstrations we need to purify our motivations first. We have to bear in mind that we stand to denounce and condemn the evils of corruption but we still have to love the persons involved. Thus, government, civic, and religious leaders, the ordinary citizens, each one of us needs a conversion of heart. Our nation needs a profound reform and conversion and the time to begin is now. Now is the time for a spiritual combat against the enemy within, our pride and greed, our lust for power and wealth.[2]
[1]
[2] CBCP Statement,
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