BY BRAELL EBRADO & LISETTE DONAIRE/UM Interns
CATHOLIC group BARUG Layko (Bayanihang Layko for Accountability, Reform, and Upright Governance) urged bishops to come up with a unified stand amid the corruption scandals that erode public trust
During a forum at The Royal Mandaya Hotel on April 15, co-convenors Jon Gales and Lunar Fayloga stressed the need for the bishops to provide moral guidance as the country faces what they called “a critical crossroad.”
“Guided by the gospel and the social teachings of the church, we, in BARUG Layko, speak at this critical moment, not in accusations but in hope—with urgency and moral concern, in the spirit of communion and with the deep trust in the mission of our bishops,” Gales said.
They raised concerns about systemic corruption scandals, political distractions, and global economic pressure affecting Filipinos, highlighting how citizens rely on the church for clarity and direction.
Particularly, the group also raised concerns about the President’s leadership, his integrity, including the rumors regarding his health and controversial governance, including the alleged misuse of public funds.
They also called the bishops to “rise as one body,” urging unity in seeking a serious, impartial, and no-nonsense investigation into corruption allegations, emphasizing the need to protect and support whistleblowers to ensure that they are not silenced, threatened, or abandoned by those in power.
On the other hand, the group called out leaders to stop political maneuvering, emphasizing that institutions should do their jobs fairly and without fear, and ensuring that accountability is upheld with honesty. The group emphasized that the call was made “not in accusation but in hope,” highlighting the church’s moral role in fostering unity and discernment among the public amid national issues.
