Archbishop Socrates Villegas of Lingayen-Dagupan urged Catholics to reject corruption and confront their own role in electing leaders accused of abusing power and betraying public trust.
The prelate made the call in a pastoral letter to be read in all Masses across the archdiocese on May 17, Ascension Sunday.
The letter came amid political tensions surrounding the Senate’s handling of the impeachment proceedings against Vice President Sara Duterte and controversy over Sen. Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa’s stay inside the Senate while facing possible arrest linked to the International Criminal Court investigation into former president Rodrigo Duterte’s anti-drug campaign.
“We mourn the worsening problem of corruption of people’s money,” Villegas wrote. “We keep hoping to get out of the quicksand of corruption, but we just keep getting deeper into the pit.”
Without directly naming officials, the archbishop criticized what he described as efforts to undermine accountability and delay legal processes.
“The sudden change in the leadership of the Senate, mandated by law to try the impeachment case, is like a graffiti on the wall showing another devious plan to delay the trial,” he wrote.
Villegas also condemned the use of the Senate “as a shield for a suspect-at-large with a valid warrant of arrest from a lawful court.”
“It is confusing. It is unbelievable. It is pathetic. It is disgusting. It is shameless,” he added.
The archbishop said responsibility for the country’s condition extends beyond politicians and includes voters who tolerated corruption and patronage politics.
“Our hands are bloodstained because our hands voted for such corrupt criminals into office,” he wrote. “We are not innocent.”
Villegas said Filipinos chose “tribalism over the nation,” “vote selling over conscience,” and “glamor over competence.”
Still, the archbishop said renewal remains possible through repentance, prayer, civic action, and moral courage. “Repent and then rise,” he said.
Villegas urged Catholics to use their hands to “fold in PRAYER,” “PROTEST,” and “PRESSURE for political change,” warning that silence in the face of wrongdoing had become dangerous.
“In today’s rampant deceit and abuse of power, neutrality has become a mask for cowardice,” he wrote. “Silence in the face of lies is moral surrender.”
He also called on Filipinos to reject corrupt leaders in future elections and insist on “accountability and transparency within the context of rule of law.”
The pastoral letter ended with an appeal for unity beyond political and regional divisions, urging Filipinos to place God and country above partisan loyalties and identity-based politics.
