A Catholic bishop urged lawmakers on Ash Wednesday to confront corruption, calling it a form of ‘spiritual decay that steals from classrooms, hospitals and the poor.’
Speaking during Mass at the House of Representatives, Bishop Raul Dael of Tandag Dael said corruption is not merely a legal issue but a moral and spiritual failure that harms the vulnerable citizens and weakens public trust.
“Corruption is not only illegal; it is a spiritual decay, a sin against God,” Dael said. “It (hurts) the poor first. It steals from classrooms, from hospitals, from social services, from communities waiting for relief.”
The bishop urged lawmakers to see public office as a “vocation” centered on service, sacrifice and accountability rather than personal gain or political advantage.
He said ethical leadership requires integrity in both public actions and private decisions, particularly when choices are made beyond cameras and public attention.
“In Lent, we examine not our image, but our heart,” Dael said, stressing the importance of conscience and moral responsibility in governance.
Dael called on lawmakers to work collaboratively, saying unity guided by truth and justice can gradually address corruption and reduce poverty.
He warned that corruption erodes institutions, drains public resources and deepens inequality, affecting ordinary Filipinos who rely on public services and government services.
“How tragic it is when a vocation meant to serve the common good becomes entangled in massive corruption,” Dael said.
“How contradictory it is to fast and pray publicly while privately manipulating public funds, distorting justice or ignoring the cries of the poor,” he added.
The bishop echoed Pope Francis, who has described politics as a noble vocation and one of the highest forms of charity when pursued for the common good.
“When politics is lived as a vocation, it becomes service. It becomes a sacrifice. It becomes an act of charity toward the entire nation,” he said.
Dael also addressed legislative staff and support personnel, emphasizing their unseen but essential contributions to policymaking and the daily function of government.
He said institutions depend on teamwork, discipline and shared responsibility, urging mutual respect among lawmakers, employees and workers.
“Leadership is never solitary. Authority is never self-generated. You lead because many support you. You stand because many people are at your back and uphold you,” the bishop said.
