Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle on Saturday lamented the state of the country amid alleged corruption in government infrastructure projects and supposed “pork-like” budget insertions, warning that corruption destroys humanity itself — a sin condemned since biblical times.
In an interview with Rico Hizon on ANC’s Beyond the Exchange, Tagle underscored the biblical role of stewardship, stressing that the Earth and its resources are entrusted to humanity for the common good.
“You take care of what was entrusted to you not as your own property… wealth on Earth should be shared and not hoarded by anyone,” he said.
Tagle called on erring politicians, contractors, and agencies to reflect on their accountability. “My message is this: Please, you are human beings. You are created in God’s image. Can you please look at yourself with humility? I am not God. I should not pretend to be God. My responsibility is to take care of what God has given to us for the good of all,” he added.
He noted that corruption remains a disturbing reality, particularly in a predominantly Catholic nation like the Philippines. “This is the thing that disturbs us, especially leaders of the Church. Is there still a sense of humanity, a sense of sin? Because if you lose your humanity, you will also lose your sense of sin,” he stressed.
The former Manila archbishop urged Filipinos to rebuild a culture of integrity through values formation and quality education from a young age.
Reflecting on recurring cycles of corruption, he asked: “When will we learn? We’ve been through different protests since I was young. When will we find lasting change? It is saddening, especially when we see the effects on the poor. Where has the human heart gone? Do we still have a heart?”
Tagle recalled the spirit of the 1986 EDSA People Power Revolution, describing it not as a place but as a state of love for country. Now, with protests flaring over alleged anomalies in flood control projects, he urged Filipinos to find more creative and sustained ways of expressing dissent — including withholding support from corrupt leaders.
He emphasized that the nation must strive for “lasting change.”
