Carmelites back bishops' call for reforms in government

MANILA, Philippines - Filipino Carmelite priests backed Friday the call of Catholic bishops for "radical reforms" against corruption, demanding accountability from the present administration.

Carmelites-Justice, Peace and Integrity of Creation (JPIC) convenor Fr. Jerry Sabado expressed support for the call of five senior Catholic bishops "to form a citizen's council to promote public awareness, to monitor the use of public funds, and to initiate charges against guilt officials."

Sabado noted that various irregularities in government remain unexplained, including the $329.48-million ZTE broadband deal. He also said the government has not acted on extra-judicial killings and persecution of human rights advocates.

"And now we continue to witness shameless cover-up of the multi-million fertilizer scam. Even as Joc-Joc Bolante finally arrived, truth, justice and accountability remain beyond reach. Families of victims of human rights violations cry out for justice," Sabado said in an article posted Friday on the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines website.

Sabado said they will use basic ecclesial communities to deepen understanding of Catholics, seminarians, priests and religious and others in confronting the roots of these evils.

He added JPIC will continue to pray and act in solidarity with the poor as the Order of Carmelite demand the scrapping of oil deregulation and excessive taxes, farmers crying out for genuine land reform, workers crying out for substantial wage hike, migrant workers seeking better jobs so they won't be forced to work abroad, youth and all marginalized sectors who deserve a government that is truly for the people.

"We will abide with the people's mandate and be steadfast in standing for the sovereign will of the people," he said. - GMANews.TV

“We live in a world full of injustice and disquiet. It is our duty to contribute to the search for an understanding of the causes of these evils”…

We, of the Carmelites- Justice, Peace and Integrity of Creation welcome the move of the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines’ move of forming a citizen’s council to promote public awareness, to monitor the use of public funds, and to initiate charges against guilt officials”

As our Carmelite Constitution states “It is about time that we contribute to the search for an understanding of the causes of these evils, we of the JPIC-Carmelites will wage a wider discussion at the grassroots level of the national issues bedeviling our nation today. With our BCC-BEC communities as our vehicle, we will deepen the understanding of our flock, our seminarians and lay people on the causes of these evils.

We have been bombarded with data from surveys after surveys about the eroding standard of living of Filipinos. But, are not the people had enough of these? We are witness to their cry and aspirations. They have been shouting about this on the street. The transport sector has been demanding for the scrapping of EVAT that has burdened them with the series of oil price increases. How long have the farmers crying that the fertilizer promised to them went into the big pockets of politicians allied with the regime?

Are not the people already there at the middle of the struggles for the dream of life to its fullness? All they wanted to hear is a statement like this.

Until today, the truth about the NBN ZTE deal and other strings of corruption charges did not see the light, we again scandalized by the Euro generals and the shameless cover-up of the fertilizer scam because it seems that even Joc-joc Bolante has arrived, it seems difficult for the Filipinos to see the truth .

Whatever happened to the decision of the Supreme Court affirming the involvement of Palparan in ther spate of extra-judicial killings and persecution of Human Rights advocates ? It is through these that we echo the cry of the Filipino people before God : “Tama, Sobra na Magresign ka na Gloria”. he whole nation due to the myriads of scandals in the government.

In support of the Bishops’ call, We the Carmelite Justice and Peace and Integrity of Creation will not waver in our fight for truth, justice and accountability. We will continue to join the ranks of the interfaith communities in the campaign for truth and accountability by joining mobilizations, noise barrage, forums and prayer rally as a concrete response to express the demand for change in the corrupt-ridden administration and rotten system in the government.

Convenor, JPIC-Order of Carmelites

Contact Number: (02) 721 33 91