Following President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s fifth State of the Nation Address (SONA), San Carlos Bishop and Caritas Philippines leader Gerardo Alminaza issued a statement on Saturday, August 1, calling on the government to move beyond temporary relief and address systemic issues impacting poverty, corruption, energy policy, and civil liberties.
Reacting to the President’s pledge to build “the country that Filipinos deserve,” Alminaza said that the promise must serve as the benchmark by which every public servant, policy, and budget is evaluated.
“Every State of the Nation Address should not only describe where we are but also help us discern where we ought to go together as one people,” Alminaza said.
“Relief is not the same as justice”, Alminaza said.
While acknowledging government assistance programs announced for workers, farmers, fisherfolk, and families struggling with inflation, Alminaza emphasized that the Catholic Church measures progress by whether the human dignity of the poor and vulnerable is protected, rather than by GDP growth alone.
Addressing the President’s report on ongoing investigations into corruption in flood control projects, Alminaza urged full transparency and uncompromising justice.
“Everyone credibly found responsible must be held accountable in accordance with due process, regardless of family name, party or position,” Alminaza said.
He emphasized that every stolen peso must be recovered and that prosecution must reach not only those who executed corrupt schemes, but also those who permitted them to continue and benefited from them.
While welcoming efforts to expand rooftop solar access and remove systems loss charges, Alminaza criticized the administration for failing to address the climate crisis with necessary urgency.
He expressed strong reservations regarding the extension of the Malampaya service contract, fossil gas expansion, nuclear power proposals, and destructive mining.
Asserting that 25 years under the Electric Power Industry Reform Act (EPIRA) have failed to lower electricity costs, Alminaza called for a comprehensive review of energy regulations to prioritize community microgrids and household solar power.
The bishop also voiced Caritas Philippines’ opposition to the proposed US-led Pax Silica Industrial Hub in Capas, Tarlac, in its present form.
He warned that the project threatens Aeta indigenous communities and local farmers while lacking transparency regarding land, water, and energy use.
“The Philippines cannot call it industrialization if we remain suppliers of raw materials, low-value components and cheap labor for foreign-controlled supply chains,” Alminaza said.
He advocated instead for national self-reliance that protects local livelihoods.
Alminaza also expressed deep concern over the SONA’s omission of ongoing harassment, surveillance, and red-tagging against journalists, human rights defenders, and Church social action workers.
He called for independent investigations into unresolved killings in Toboso, Negros Occidental, and other communities.
Alminaza also called for an end to illegal detentions and the criminalization of humanitarian work.
He cautioned against proposed anti-fake news legislation that could be weaponized to silence critics and journalists, urging that technology platforms be held accountable instead.
Alminaza said reaction to the SONA is “not to condemn but to encourage conversion,” reminding the public that prayer must be accompanied by courageous action for the common good.
“Building the country the Filipino people deserve is not the responsibility of government alone,” he said.
“The true state of the nation will ultimately be measured not by the height of our buildings or the growth of our GDP, but by the dignity of our people, the integrity of our institutions, the health of our environment, and the hope we leave to future generations,” he said.*
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