15/12/2025
A HUMBLE PROPOSAL
for a UNITED ANTI-CORRUPTION ADVOCACY
My dear brothers and sisters, dear partners and friends in the work for integrity and justice:
Peace be with you.
I write to you with deep respect and gratitudeโfor your courage, your vigilance, and your unwavering commitment to the common good. Our coalition is composed of people from different institutions, beliefs, professions, and convictions, yet we are united by one simple love: love for God, love for our people, and love for our country.
I offer this letter as a humble proposal, not as a command and not as a claim to moral superiority, but as my small contribution to our shared advocacy against graft and corruption in our beloved Philippines.
1. Our Common Ground: Partners, Not Enemies
First, allow me to affirm a principle that I believe must guide us: We are partners of reform, not enemies of government.
Our aim is not to shame, attack, or destabilize, but to assist, to strengthen, and to help build systems that protect public trust. We criticize wrongdoing not because we hate institutions, but because we love our peopleโespecially the poor, who suffer most from corruption.
Corruption thrives where systems are weak, where citizens are silent, and where conscience is asleep. Our task is to help awaken conscience, strengthen systems, and encourage responsible citizenship.
2. A Proposal for Citizen Vigilance and Transparency
I humbly propose that our coalition invest in citizen-based transparency and monitoring, particularly at the local level.
This may include:
โข Training volunteers to observe and document public projects responsibly
โข Helping communities understand basic public records and processes
โข Encouraging lawful, respectful reporting of irregularities
This is not vigilantism. This is responsible citizenship. When people are informed and present, corruption finds fewer places to hide.
3. Formation of Conscience and Culture of Integrity
Laws can punish corruption, but only values can prevent it. I propose that we strengthen values formation and ethical education, especially among:
โข The youth
โข Public servants
โข Community and faith leaders
โข Business and civil society organizations
Let us speak clearly and consistently:
โข That public office is a sacred trust
โข That corruption steals from the poor and the unborn
โข That small dishonesty, when tolerated, grows into national tragedy
We must form not only watchdogs, but men and women of conscience.
4. Supporting Systemic Reforms
Corruption is not only a moral failure; it is also a systemic problem. I humbly suggest that we support reforms that:
โข Reduce excessive human discretion through digitalization
โข Strengthen transparency and access to information
โข Protect whistleblowers and truth-tellers
โข Make wrongdoing difficult and accountability normal
Our advocacy should help improve the rules of the game, so that even those who are tempted find it harder to do wrong.
5. Protecting the Courageous and Telling the Truth with Charity
Many Filipinos know the truth but remain silent because they are afraid. I propose that our coalition explore ways to:
โข Support whistleblowers legally and morally
โข Partner with responsible media and legal institutions
โข Ensure that truth is told with accuracy, fairness, and charity, never with hatred or vengeance
Silence protects corruption. Truth, spoken with love, protects the nation.
6. Constructive Engagement and Recognition of What Is Good
While we must speak firmly against corruption, we must also be generous in recognizing integrity where it exists.
Let us:
โข Engage government institutions constructively
โข Share credible data and community insights
โข Publicly affirm good governance and honest leadership
When integrity is recognized, it is strengthened. When goodness is affirmed, it multiplies.
7. A Long Journey, Walked Together
Finally, I humbly remind us that this advocacy is not a one-day event, not a single rally, not a seasonal campaign. It is a long journey of:
โข Education and formation
โข Vigilance and patience
โข Courage and prayer
We will not win this battle through anger alone, but through perseverance, unity, and hope.
A Closing Word
My dear friends, I offer this proposal with humility and with faith. As a shepherd, my role is to remind us that the fight against corruption is ultimately a moral and spiritual struggle, one that concerns the soul of our nation.
May we continue to walk togetherโfirm in principle, gentle in speech, courageous in action, and united in love for the Filipino people.
With deep respect and gratitude for each of you, I remain,
Yours in service of truth, justice, and the common good,
โ Alberto S. Uy
Archbishop of Cebu
