ANG RELASYON NG SIMBAHANG KATOLIKO SA GOBYERNO NG PILIPINAS -

February 28, 2025

In this insightful discussion, Professor Christina Astorga, a prominent figure in the GTTAN Global Transparency and Transformation Advocacy Network, highlights their ongoing efforts to champion truth and justice in the Philippines. The conversation features an interview with Father Robert Reyes, a well-respected clergyman known for his activism and advocacy work. Father Reyes, often referred to as the “Running Priest,” has a rich educational background and has been actively involved in various ministries. Despite facing accusations of sedition—charges that were eventually dismissed due to lack of evidence—he continues to serve as a vocal advocate for the marginalized and oppressed in society.

The dialogue delves into the complex relationship between the Church and the state, exploring various perspectives on how these institutions intersect and impact one another. A significant focus of the discussion is the importance of Catholic social teachings in guiding moral and ethical governance. Father Reyes emphasizes the critical role of clergy in promoting transparency, particularly regarding electoral processes and the integrity of democratic institutions. Given the heightened concerns surrounding electoral integrity and the potential for digital fraud, the need for the Church to speak prophetically against injustice is underscored.

Moreover, the conversation advocates for a more active engagement of the Church in promoting social justice and prosperity, emphasizing the necessity of ethical principles in governance. Father Reyes calls attention to the collaborative relationship between the Church and the laity, stressing the importance of various expertise in addressing governance challenges. He critiques church leaders for their inaction on pressing issues, such as extrajudicial killings and political corruption, and highlights the relevance of liberation theology, advocating for a Church that prioritizes the needs of the poor.

Father Reyes also addresses the complexities surrounding impeachment processes and the political motivations that often influence them. He advocates for the education and empowerment of citizens to combat corruption and injustice effectively. Additionally, he suggests leveraging the support and engagement of the Filipino diaspora in advocacy efforts. Despite expressing disappointment in some church leadership, Father Reyes remains steadfast in his commitment to truth and justice for the Filipino people, emphasizing the need for continuous advocacy in pursuit of a more just society.

Highlights

Introduction of Fr. Reyes

“..kilala nating lahat si Father Robert na running priest paring aktibista but not too many know the educational background of Robert as well as his work as a priest in his rather colorful life.

He was formed by the jesuits at the San Jose seminary while he completed his undergraduate degree in pred divinity and philosophy at de Manila University after studies in theology at Loyola School of theology and after one year in Ministry He was sent for studies at Angelicum in rome which is Run by the dominicans but after a year he decided to pursue his doctoral studies at gregorian University which is Run by the jesuits from whom he received his early formation already at the stage of doctoral thesis writing.

Father Reyes was among Catholic Church leaders who were accused of sedition for allegedly conspiring with opposition politicians to undermine the government of President Rodrigo Duterte charges against him however were dismissed along with the other Catholic leaders after no supporting evidence was presented continuing his work as a priest.

His heart is still a stout and his spirit as Brave to continue to be the face of the church engage in politics in the fight for truth and justice for the Filipino people especially the poorest among us.”

Why CCGG is non-partisan

“No one here should campaign personally for any candidate. However, very soon we’re going to meet and there is a very strong clamor for the CCGG to focus on the upcoming election on May 12 because we barely have 2.5 months to go. So it’s the campaign for voters’ education, which is a rather difficult thing because how do you campaign for voters’ education with only 2.5 months left. Education is not overnight.

And number two, General Rios and I and many others are concerned about electoral integrity. Comelec is highly suspicious, highly suspect in terms of how it conducts the election because the experience of the last presidential election of 2022 is very, very disturbing. General Rios has explained it adequately and there is good reason to suspect that there was fraud in the last election.

And number three, really we have to look at the phenomenon of the poor not really concerned about whom to vote for. It’s all survival right now. They’re so poor that anyone, they don’t care about promises. They care about their stomachs. They’re hungry.

And according to the SWS survey recently, the rate of self-assessed poverty of the poor has gone drastically high. So therefore the poor know what poverty is and they’re the ones saying we are much poorer now than we were before. And that means unemployment, hunger, no housing, and many of them are driven to become street dwellers.

So we now see a rise of street dwellers and beggars in the metropolis and the many cities and even in towns all over the Philippines. So that’s what non-partisan is all about. We have to look at the bigger picture and to see how people elect and how people do not actually elect.”

Why CBCP is silent on the allegations of election rigging and why PPCRV is ineffective

“…I was recently interviewed again by by The New York Times asking me about my classmate, whether he can become the Pope because my classmate is Cardinal Tagle. Sabi ko I don’t want to say anything about who should become a pope or who shouldn’t be one but I said there are three things that all Priests, all Bishops, all Cardinals, all Popes, including all ordinary Christians.”

“We all share the three main responsibilities of Christ. He is a king, He is a priest, He is a Prophet. As a king we administer we manage the resources given us. As a priest we we make ourselves holy we cleans immorality of sin of unworthiness. That is difficult, and then also just as important we draw people to the holiness of a life that is in communion with Christ. Then many of us stop there because the third is even more difficult – to be prophets to announce the good news and to denounce Evil.”

“…the Bishops have to realize once again the Prophetic Role and so a few of us get into trouble because it’s something that we never gave up so for the last 54 years of my life I don’t know and I’m sure it’s not me it is God who has told me never never prostitute the truth never accept any money to be silenced and to be prudent. Prudent is not equals to silenced. Prudent is being careful about what you say and what you do but keeping quiet against evil is very imprudent. Actually It’s very immoral…”

On the seeming hopelessness and indifference of the general population on corruption

“On the 39th anniversary of the EDSA revolution, mga easily 75% of those who were on the streets were young people. They were young people from universities, kaya very crucial ito.

Students, enlightened students should take the lead in really going everywhere to re-educate our people. Our people have not given up. They’re confused.

And who confused them? The dynasties, their patrons. They’re confused because whenever they need something, ayuda comes. Libring ataol, libring libing, birthday cake, libring education, libring ganito.

Pero ang hindi nila nakikita ah kung si Mayor ay nagbibigay ng libre libre sabihin natin ang annual income ni Mayor personal from both the official na napakaliit na sweldo pero mas malaki yung kanyang under the table. Kung meron siyang half a billion na pera ah yung ano yung 100 million pwede na niyang ipamudmod then he or she pockets the 400 million at yung mga mahihirap they don’t know they really don’t know how much money their public officials really put in into their pockets.

Kaya yung dapat magising ang mga mamayan natin na merong mas higit pa sa ayuda yong malinis na gobyerno na walang perang binubulsa at lahat ng perang yon napupunta sa mga serbisyong pampubliko.”

Why the Church and Clergy must work with civil society groups and why choosing a lesser evil is a compromised morality

“Depende po yan sa obispo. Depende rin niya sa pare. Kasi you can have a bishop who is very committed to social transformation but he has to engage his entire clergy, educate his entire clergy so that they do what the Catholic social teachings tell us to do. Everything is in the Catholic social teachings. The general principles of how to transform society through the gospel, through ethical principles, they’re all provided by the Catholic social teachings.

In terms of engaging society, ang problema nangyayari sa Laity, ipinauubaya sa mga pare na incompetent. We are incompetent in terms of the nitty-gritty. After criticizing, partner with the lay to see how we can campaign against the immorality. Halimbawa ang General Appropriations Act, salamat kay Heidi Mendoza, salamat kay Shiela Magno, these are economists, these are accountants. We are not accountants.

Ang ganda po dapat ng partnership ng simbahan at ng laiko. Kaya nga this is where it was not difficult at all for the clergy to invite and to partner with the citizens. Kaya nagkaroon ng clergy and citizens for good governance. The ethical basis for good governance should be the expertise of the Church.”

Closing remarks: What expatriates can do to help

“…malaki na po yung tulong niyo e nakatutulong na rin kayo sa mga pagkilos namin. Nag-ambag rin kayo ng konting ayuda, hindi po napupunta sa kaninong bulsa kaya salamat po. Pangalawa po eh alam niyo maganda pong palawakin ninyo ang GTTAN kasi nung panahon ng resistance to the marcoses there were all kinds of international alliances that that educated the Filipinos abroad. And one big problem ang mga OFW natin ang ang kanilang pinapanood ay fake news, mga trolls kaya marami sa kanila Duterte pa hanggang ngayon.

Perhaps GTTAN can look at how to reach out to the OFW communities because you’re actually where they are. If GTTAN everywhere in Rome in Europe, in Australia, in Canada,in Asia, everywhere in the world, in Africa, in Latin America. If you can have GTTAN groups and that will also address the OFW need for connect connectiveness e they’re so disconnected. From us that they’re all holding a cellphone and that’s how they connect, the cellphone. Kaya lang nga they connect with the wrong people. So if you can find a way of connecting them with you and with all of us that will be a big help…”