We, concerned Church people from the Association of Major Religious Superiors in the Philippines (AMRSP), the Catholic Educational Association of the Philippines of the National Capital Region (CEAP-NCR), the Manila Archdiocesan and Parochial Schools Association (MAPSA) and the Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting (PPCRV) gathered today, October 4, 2007, at the Sta. Isabel College,- Manila to reflect on the present turbulence in Philippine society caused by the unfolding of events in the on-going Senate hearings. We gathered credible information on the events and issues and sought to reflect on these in the light of our faith.


The present controversy has affected us deeply and awakened many feelings:

• Confusion, because amidst charges and counter-charges, the truth behind the latest NBN-ZTE controversy still eludes us, and government leaders involved refuse to be accountable and transparent to the people who have a right to know

 

• Anger and outrage at the potential harm done to the Filipino people, by a contract, now already scrapped, that would have placed an enormous economic burden on the Filipino people, for 'the sake of the vested interests of a few.

 

• Even greater anger when we glimpse that this project, carried out with great secrecy, involved corruption on a very large scale, apparently among leaders in very high places. How high this corruption goes still remains to be discovered.

 

Moved by our Christian faith in the Lord who is Truth and our adherence to the Catholic social vision which calls all, especially those in public office to work for the common good, we commit ourselves to the following:


1. ADVOCACY FOR TRUTH AND ACCOUNTABILITY:

Despite our weariness, we resolve to advocate for the continued search for truth behind what seems like a cover-up aimed at misleading the Filipino people. We refuse to "move on" in the name of a promised progress, because we know that unless a culture and the protocols of transparency and accountability are in place, no progress will be real and lasting. This resolve includes a demand to bring to justice those whom a credible process of inquiry reveals to be guilty of

crimes against the Filipino people.


2. CULTURAL REGENERATION:

We acknowledge that corruption is ingrained in our culture, indeed in ourselves. We commit ourselves and our institutions to cultural renewal. We will examine ourselves in humility and honesty and find means to heighten our awareness of the taint of corruption in our lives and institutions, as well as come up with ways of correcting practices which are outrightly corrupt or which border on or lead to corruption. We will pro actively promote a culture of integrity, and practice transparency and accountability in our own lives and in our institutions. We will reinvigorate and strengthen values formation and education at all levels.


3. ENGAGEMENT TOWARD GOOD LEADERSHIP:

We will help train leaders, work towards the emergence of alternative leaders, and be actively involved in the forthcoming electoral exercises, especially that of 2010, so that these will result in honest elections. that will place in power leaders who are accountable, competent and committed to the real service of our people especially the poor. This will involve working toward electoral· reform and revitalizing voters' education and advocating a credible COMELEC. This also means educating the young towards political participation and holiness.


Despite the magnitude of the challenges we face, we dare to hope extravagantly, because we believe in the goodness of our people and the power of the Lord working in and among us.


We call to mind the teachings of the Church: "Men and women have the specific duty to move always towards the truth, to respect it and bear witness to it. Living in the truth has special significance in social relationships .. ," (Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Church #197). Bearing this in mind and carrying hope in our hearts, we will seek to create "islands of excellence and light amidst a sea of darkness in our country. However modest these beginning, we believe that when these "islands" are joined together in a network, we will have built up a country of excellence and light, of integrity and truth.


SGD:

Very Rev. Jesus M. Malit, SSS Mother Mary John Mananzan, OSB

Association of Major Religious Superiors in the Philippines (AMRSP)


Msgr. Gerardo O. Santos

Catholic Educational Association of the Philippines - the National Capital Region (CEAP-NCR)

Manila Archdiocesan & Parochial Schools Association (MAPSA)


Ambassador Henrietta T. de Villa

Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting (PPCRV)

October 4, 2007

Sta. Isabel College - Manila