LEUVEN, BELGIUM– Filipino students at the Katholieke Universiteit Leuven (KU Leuven), the world’s oldest Catholic university, held a prayer rally on Nov. 28 to denounce government corruption and the culture of impunity in the Philippines.
Through prayers, songs, speeches, and poetry, the students called for transparency and accountability in government, drawing attention to irregularities in the country’s flood-control projects.
Theology students organized the event, which included participation from students and professors across departments, as well as Filipino migrants in Belgium.
“Corruption is an abuse of power and authority, which erodes the dignity, rights, and future of our people,” the students said in a statement. “For decades, our nation has been paralyzed by systemic corruption tolerated, normalized, and even rewarded.”
Participants reflected on the impact of corruption on ecology, education, public health, and political culture. They also drew on Catholic Social Teaching and Scripture to highlight moral and spiritual duties, emphasizing the need for collective responsibility, sustained institutional reform, and hope in God’s righteousness.
The students criticized the influence of political dynasties, electoral fraud, mismanaged public funds, and the weaponization of disinformation as drivers of impunity in Philippine society.
“This political culture has resulted in democratically elected officials catering to their own interests rather than the common good,” the statement read.
They called on Filipinos to demand that transparency, accountability, social justice, and the rule of law guide public life.
“Public office is a public trust. Professionalism, ethical leadership, and responsible governance must be set as the real hallmarks of a true political authority,” the statement said.
The students also urged reforms including electoral reform to promote principled, program-based political parties, prosecution of officials involved in corruption scandals, strengthening civic institutions, and increasing citizen participation in democratic processes.
“As Filipino students, we commit ourselves to live with moral integrity, accountability, a sense of justice, truth-telling, and active solidarity,” they added.
“With moral hope grounded in faith in God and in justice, we envision a Filipino nation where integrity prevails, democratic institutions serve the common good, and the dignity of every person is respected,” they also said.
