Zoilo ‘Bingo’ Dejaresco III l December 4, 2024 l Business Mirror
MAYBE not for the first time but, certainly, in a somewhat dramatic way, the Filipino clergy banded under the “Clergy for Good Governance” (CGG) last Friday, amidst the socio-political climate bedeviling the nation.
Initially, the CGG is supported by 12 bishops and 211 priests nationwide (among the 7,000 Filipino ordained priests). It is expected that many of the over-1,000 priest-signatories of the Clergy for Moral Concerns (CMC) would likely join CGG. It is a potent force for good.
There is a 15-man Coordinating Council: three from Mindanao; two from Bicol; two from Central Luzon; and, five from the National Capital Region. The Council will organize priests for the implementation of the seven calls for action.
As “priests of Jesus” and as stewards of the church for the people of God, they vowed to “stand for what is true, right and for the common good impelled by the love of Christ” (2Cor: 5:14).
The CGG will soon establish “formation modules” in the country’s 85 archdioceses to promote the new gospel of good governance among adults and children.
The actionable goals of the CGG are: (1) to promote good governance for social transformation; (2) to advocate for electoral reform including a hybrid election process and Party-List reform; (3) to expose and oppose political dynasty dominance; (4) to combat systemic corruption and address massive disinformation; (5) to uphold, protect, and respect human rights; (6) to protect our common home by working for ecological integrity; and, (7) to advance national sovereignty by addressing foreign debt and the threats of war.
Salient data
MSGR. Melchor D. David said that Comelec Chairman George Erwin M. Garcia agrees on a hybrid (rather than a fully automated) electoral system. However, such needs an enabling law before the 2025 polls.
It may be recalled that there appeared to be a computer glitz in the 2019 polls that (favored some candidates) and the 2022 poll mystery of the private IP system that transmitted poll results not using the standard platforms. On the other hand, party lists have been notoriously known to be fronting for financially and politically established families.
Meantime, political dynasties—from the presidency down to the barangay levels—have notoriously ruled “Inang Pilipinas” for decades, a study by the Ateneo University said. Mentioned as hubs of intense dynastic rule are Ilocos Norte, Camarines Sur, Davao, and Pampanga, among others.
Corruption—from top to bottom—is also now on its all-time bad, eventually threatening our democracy. The group called for the prosecution of the corrupt to the very end and establish the rule of law in curbing pervasive corruption.
The Duterte legacy of killings and violence resulted in an estimated 30,000 deaths, David said. He added that the administration of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has also recorded 821 such deaths year-to-date.
Rev. Fr. Pablito C. Malibiran, meanwhile, said that we need to protect the environment and all the creatures and plants therein as “they are God’s gifts to mankind.”
Fr. Christian B. Buenafe highlighted national sovereignty issues occurring at the West Philippine Seas involving Filipino rights that have been repeatedly violated. He warned against the P16-trillion debt trap; a happenstance that had victimized many Third World debt-ridden countries. The priest pleaded for the repeal of the 1995 Mining Act that favors foreign investors and the evils of Charter change, which surrenders rights of land ownership to foreigners.
Cleansing of ranks
The CGG was very vocal about establishing its own solid moral ground when seeking reforms since some clergy (priests and bishops) have been reportedly unduly influenced and controlled by the financial and political giants in their communities, the group noted.
They cited some who are not above “giving their silent consent” on rapacious moves of community leaders in exchange for as much as P20 million to build them a church of their own. This results in them protecting private interests that they have become beholden to through quid-pro-quo “ayuda.”
There are talks of these clergymen shamelessly receiving luxury houses, flashy cars, and secret bank accounts, and participating in foreign junkets given by these powerful people- disabling them from preaching the gospel in the right context. A patriot-woman from Cebu (CF), chiming on the topic, could not contain herself in slamming the hypocrisy of some clergy there. Some have been “gifted with beach houses, Rolex watches and BMWs,” she said. As if they are in a contest as to who owns more.
There is an “Attorney Father” who flaunts his real estate side hustle. Some of them may not have the vow of poverty but certainly, they have to appear like servants of the people, not part of the bejeweled local Mafiosi. As shepherds of the people, they should “smell like sheep” and not reek of Bulgari and Boss perfumes.
Call to the people
Now that the CGG has taken on the robe of a real shepherd and vows like David to slay the Goliaths in our midst, our faithful believers who trust in Christ’s solidarity with the poor- are most welcome to have their warm bodies counted and attend the “formation modules” that would soon come into your respective dioceses.
The wholesale corruption and inefficiency in governance are too much. We owe it to ourselves and especially our children—to clean the shop—and at least ensure a better future for them than the kind we have today.
Let our bishops and priests lead the way.
*** Zoilo P. Dejaresco III, a former banker, is a financial consultant, media practitioner, author and a Life and media member of the Financial Executives Institute of the Philippines (Finex). His views here are personal and do not necessarily reflect those of the Finex and the BusinessMirror. Contact the author via dejarescobingo@yahoo.com.