ASIA/PHILIPPINES - Consecrated men and women: Gospel witness and the fight against corruption

Zamboanga (Fides News Agency) – Credible Gospel witness in the Philippines requires strong action against corruption, political dynasties and the misuse of public funds. This is the appeal made at the conclusion of their national assembly by 233 Filipino consecrated men and women representing 159 religious congregations. Faith, they said, requires addressing the country’s social problems rather than remaining silent.
“We choose truth over disinformation, justice over corruption, accountability over political self-interest and entrenched dynasties,” says the final statement released on September 6, stressing that “consecrated life is measured by Gospel witness.”

Filipino consecrated men and women expressed concern about issues affecting the nation, including poverty, inequality, destructive mining, human trafficking, displacement, natural disasters and armed conflict. These realities, they said, continue to threaten human dignity and require action on the part of believers.
The statement also recalls the public controversy that has unfolded over the past year surrounding corruption in flood-control projects, while condemning the political polarization affecting the country.
Reaffirming their commitment through the Commission for Justice, Peace and Integrity of Creation, Filipino religious congregations pledged to stand alongside farmers, workers, fishermen, indigenous communities, migrants, seafarers and the urban poor — all sectors of society facing poverty and exploitation.
“Peace and fraternity in the nation are the fruits of truth, justice, reconciliation, dialogue, human dignity and a right relationship with creation,” the religious men and women conclude.

The scandal surrounding so-called “ghost projects” for flood control in the Philippines involves billions of pesos allocated for flood-control infrastructure by the Department of Public Works. Many projects were reportedly paid for but either did not exist, were incomplete, were of poor quality or had been built in the wrong locations. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. publicly raised the issue in 2025, prompting inspections and investigations.
According to estimates, more than 400 projects were found to be either completely non-existent, built in the wrong locations or not compliant with required standards. As of September 2026, the Office of the Ombudsman has filed around 35 cases in court (most of them before the Anti-Corruption Court, and some before regional courts) while preliminary investigations are underway into a further 166 complaints.
On September 7, the Ombudsman filed a case alleging aggravated misappropriation involving 7.44 billion pesos against former House Speaker Martin Romualdez and three other defendants, over alleged bribes linked to flood-control projects and other infrastructure.
(PA) (Fides News Agency, 8/9/2026)

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