MANILA, Philippines — The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) on Monday said it is open to a dialogue with the government to address rampant corruption.
In a press briefing in Manila, Archbishop Gilbert Garcera, CBCP president, said the bishops are willing to engage government officials, including President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., emphasizing that communication and cooperation is better than confrontation.
“Dialogue, not monologue. We are open to talking with the government, because after all, we are all serving the Filipino people,” Garcera said.
The CBCP acknowledged that corruption remains “extensive and widespread,” thus the need for the organization to work with various sectors, including government agencies and civil society groups, to strengthen transparency and accountability.
At the same time, the CBCP announced its three priorities for the next two years: caring for its shepherds, strengthening its commissions in service of the bishops, and advancing the synodal journey in the Philippines.
