Denouncing the “culture of division and disinformation,” San Carlos Bishop Gerardo Alminaza on Thursday, May 28, said attempts to twist and weaponize his statement on the situation in the Senate are unfortunate, clarifying it was a broad moral appeal rather than a defense of any political faction.
“They only further contribute to the culture of division, disinformation, and political manipulation that continues to wound our people,” he said.
He said his statement on May 26 was never intended to defend any political bloc, faction, family, or party.
“It was a moral appeal addressed to all public officials, regardless of affiliation, who place political survival, personal interests, partisan maneuvering, and power struggles above the urgent needs of the Filipino people,” Alminaza said.
“The call for accountability must apply to everyone, without exception. No political camp, dynasty, official, or institution should be above the law or beyond moral scrutiny,” he said.
At a time when millions suffer from poverty, hunger, unemployment, rising prices, corruption, environmental destruction, and uncertainty about the future, the Filipino people deserve leaders who respect the rule of law, uphold truth, protect democratic institutions, and use public office for genuine service, Alminaza said.
Alminaza said his concern is directed toward all who use the Senate and other public institutions to advance personal or political interests instead of pursuing justice, accountability, and the common good.
This includes those who trivialize or obstruct accountability processes, those who normalize impunity, those who spread misinformation and disinformation to manipulate public opinion, those who exploit religion and Scripture to justify political agendas, and those who weaponize faith while ignoring the suffering of victims and the poor, the bishop said.
It also includes those involved in corruption, including the plunder of public funds intended for essential services and disaster response, while ordinary Filipinos continue to suffer from floods, hunger, displacement, and neglect, he added.
The Church cannot remain silent when public discourse is poisoned by lies, when democratic institutions are reduced to political spectacle, and when the suffering of the poor is overshadowed by endless partisan conflict, he added.
“Our appeal remains simple and urgent: restore dignity, truthfulness, sobriety, integrity, and moral responsibility in public service,” Alminaza said.
The Filipino people deserve leaders who seek justice rather than propaganda, accountability rather than impunity, and service rather than self-preservation, he said.*
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