CFC Council Statement

February 19, 2008

GOOD GOVERNANCE BEGINS WITH US

Dear CFC brethren in Christ,

Our country is once again on the brink of a political upheaval.
Calls for the resignation of the President are increasing in tempo and crescendo.
Charges and countercharges fill the airwaves, Senate hearing rooms and even the
streets.

The search for truth is on everybody’s lips. Rightly so, for the truth needs to come out so
we can move on as a nation on more solid foundation. “So Jesus said to those who
believed in him, ‘If you obey my teaching, you are really my disciples, you will know the
truth, and the truth will set you free.” John 8:31-32

We support the search for truth. There must be a sober effort to do so, with all those
involved accorded due process and protection and given the opportunity to be heard
freely without undue pressure or threat.

But we must also see beyond the clamor of the moment.


And realize that overcoming this monster, nay, the sins, of graft and corruption takes a
sustained and all-out effort involving every Filipino’s participation and resolve.
Today, we invite attention to this aspect of our life and mission as CFC, on our response
to the social dimension of the Gospel.

We thus support the call of our bishops to “pray together, reason together, decide
together, act together towards a more vigorous work for good governance and a more
active promotion of responsible citizenship in our society in the light of the Gospel and
the social teachings of the Church”.

While certainly there are institutions tasked with dealing with the urgent concerns of the
day, we too, even individually, have a role to play. Good governance is not only the
concern of government or our public officials. Good governance also includes our
individual responsibility to help make our government institutions and public servants act
in the manner that will best serve the common good. Good governance, indeed, begins
with us, the citizenry.

The twin evils of poverty and graft and corruption are our greatest shame as a largely
Christian nation. These twin evils are rampant in our land also because we as a people
tolerate the same. Let us thus resolve to change and not continue to be part of the
problem. Let us all be part of the solution.

Specifically, how do we respond to the current situation?

First, we ask all households to pray, reflect, and discuss the whole issue of good
governance and responsible citizenship, including how to fight this menace that is graft
and corruption, asking the Holy Spirit for guidance and strength. We suggest the
following reflection question:

“What can I do as an individual, and together with others, to help stop
graft and corruption and encourage good governance in this country?”

We ask that you share your insights and reflections with us. You may send your emails
to the St. Thomas More & Associates (STMA) at stma_global@yahoo.com.

Secondly, we ask every member of the CFC family, whether in government or the private
sector, to commit to the following:

1. I shall not be a party to any bribery or other acts of graft and corruption.
2. I shall be a watchdog and help bring to light any and all forms of
corruption in both government and private offices.
3. I shall exercise my right to vote by rejecting corrupt officials and helping
bring to office deserving public servants.
4. I shall help increase awareness on good governance issues among other
family members and my circle of friends.
5. I shall pray unceasingly for our government officials and our nation.

Thirdly, since in the meantime, the poor continue to suffer, and the poor will be the
biggest victims in all political upheavals, we ask that we intensify our work for Total
Christian Liberation.

Brothers and sisters, we have been given many chances to reform as a nation. But for
the most part, we looked at this as a government responsibility alone. It is time to truly do
our part. The appointed time is now. The time to reform our country, beginning with
ourselves, begins anew today.

CFC INTERNATIONAL COUNCIL

ang simbahan ay hindi nananahimik sa gitna ng kaguluhan at kabalintuanan sa gobyerno
salamat at nawa'y gabayan ng Diyos ang mga pagkilos ng mga lider sa lipunan

talaga namang nakakarimarim ang lahat ng balitang naririnig hinggil sa pamahalaang arroyo
lalo pa't lantarang nakikita ang epekto ng pangungurakot n'ya
hindi ko maintindihan kung saan niya nakukuha ang tibay ng sikmura sa gitna ng kahirapang
bumabalot sa lipunang kanyang ninanakawan

kung pati ang mga batang kalye ay nagagawa niyang agawan ng pondo para gamitin sa kampanya
ano pang hindi niya kayang gawin?
kung ang mga sundalo sa mindanao na isinusubo niya sa gera ay pinapapatay niya't ninanakawan ng proyekto sa pabahay
ano pang hindi niya kayang gawin?

sayang.
kung hindi sana nananahimik ang mga kaunting natitirang matitinong tao sa pamahalaan
at mag-Lozada ang mga nakakaalam at hindi maging kasabwat...

nabanggit ko sa boss ko minsan
gusto ko sanang mag-establish ng career sa civil service
pero kung ganyan ang gobyerno,
aba, mahirap namang maging instrumento ng mapagsamantalang pamahalaan

mag-abroad na lang ako.