The retreat and recollection for Bacolod City officials dubbed the “Moral Recovery Initiative” set in November will be held in abeyance for further review, Fr. Aniceto Buenafe said on Thursday, Oct. 23.
Buenafe, Fr. Armando Onion, Fr. Filomeno Duaban and Fr. Michael Cuenca held a press conference at the Negros Press Club on Wednesday to make the announcement.
Bacolod Rep. Alfredo Abelardo Benitez said on Monday that he had met with the priests and they had agreed to hold recollections for elected officials and government employees for moral renewal.
Buenafe, however, said that after conferring with several priests, who were not present during the meeting with Benitez, to re-evaluate the proposal for the retreat and recollection, they agreed to hold it in abeyance.
“We understand that the public is currently cautious and skeptical about collaborations with politicians. There is a prevailing perception of ‘underlying motives,’ ‘manipulation,’ and ‘unstated objectives’ when engaging in dialog with government officials,” he said.
They must carefully review their approach to the Moral Recovery Initiative, Buenafe said.
“We need time to refine its content, solidify its objectives, and clearly define its targets and goals,” Buenafe said.
He said they recognize that the most affected sector by corruption in government is the marginalized—the poor.
“Their input is essential to the success of the Moral Recovery Initiative. We must hear their recommendations on how misguided politicians can demonstrate genuine sincerity,” he said.
“As members of the Bacolod clergy, we stand with the poor and the marginalized. It is their voice that must be amplified on a larger platform. We are united in our call for honest and accountable leadership,” Buenafe said.
Buenafe also announced that he is no longer the lead convenor of the Council of Concerned Citizens (C3).
He was invited by former Bacolod Councilor Renecito Novero, who was originally expected to take on the role, Buenafe said.
“However, knowing that backlash was inevitable due to his position as a politician, he deferred the role to me. I accepted the responsibility because the objective was valid, and the times clearly called for a citizens’ watchdog—an investigative body focused on the flood control projects,” Buenafe said.
However, he has since relinquished his role as lead convenor after C3 decided to register with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Buenafe said.
“As members of the clergy, our involvement with corporations—unless sanctioned by the Roman Catholic Church—is limited,” he said.
Nevertheless, the priests originally identified with C3 have agreed to serve as the group’s spiritual advisers, he added.
Buenafe said at the height of the flood control anomalies, they delivered invitations to the Office of the President, the Ombudsman, the Department of Public Works and Highways, the Bacolod Congressional District, the Bacolod Mayor’s Office, and the Engineering District, inviting them to join in investigating and conducting site visits of the flood control projects in Bacolod.
The first to respond positively was Benitez, who expressed full cooperation with the inspection and site visit, Buenafe said.
Benitez also requested a private meeting with him and the other priests.
“During our October 4 meeting, Congressman Benitez shared his dismay and frustration with the institution to which he belongs. He sought our advice and moral guidance on how to restore public trust,” Buenafe said.
“It was during this meeting that the idea of a retreat or recollection was raised,” he added.
Another meeting was held on Monday, October 20, with Benitez and other city officials to discuss how they would proceed with the retreat and recollection.
“We agreed to name the proposal the Moral Recovery Initiative for Government Officials,” Buenafe said.
“During the meeting, we made it clear that this initiative would not undermine the efforts or positions of any party regarding the anomalous flood control projects,” he added.
BENITEZ RESPONSE
Benitez, in response to the announcement of the priests to hold the retreats in abeyance, said he understands where they are coming from.
“Our people have every right to be dismayed and cynical when it comes to politics and politicians. After what we have seen and heard in recent months, trust in government is at an all-time low—and that is something we in public service, especially those in Congress, must confront with humility,” Benitez said.
“I understand and respect the need of our priests to step back and reassess their involvement,” he said.
He said what matters to him is that they continue to keep the doors of dialog and partnership open.
“We deeply value their guidance and wisdom, and we welcome the opportunity to work closely with them. I truly believe that genuine moral recovery cannot happen without spiritual guidance,” Benitez said.
”No one can help lead us back to that path better than the Church and the faith community. I remain hopeful that, in time, we can move forward together in the shared belief that our people deserve honest leadership, and that moral renewal is not only possible—it is absolutely necessary,” he added.*