By CESAR JOLITO III

Bishop Gerardo Alminaza of the Diocese of San Carlos in Negros Occidental has appealed for the long-delayed passage of an anti-dynasty law, saying the country has reached a “moral reckoning” as corruption and ecological neglect continue to burden poor communities.

Alminaza, who now serves as president of Caritas Philippines, said political dynasties have entrenched themselves further — both at the local and national levels — while government reforms remain slow-moving.

“An anti-dynasty law should be passed without delay,” the bishop said, stressing that many clans have held power for decades while newer national leaders have also “expanded their reach” through the appointment or election of relatives.

He urged the public “not to tolerate political dynasties” and to push for “fresh qualified names and faces” in governance.

The 1987 Constitution mandates the passage of an enabling anti-dynasty law, but Congress has repeatedly failed to act on it.

House Speaker Faustino “Bojie” Dy III earlier announced his support for the measure — one of the few times the chamber’s leadership has publicly backed it.

Corruption, floods reveal deeper governance failures

In his first week as Caritas Philippines president, Alminaza pointed to the Church’s response to recent flooding as a stark reminder of structural failures aggravated by corruption.

“The Church stood with victims through rescue and relief. Now we must address the root causes uncovered: ecological degradation and corruption in governance,” he said.

Alminaza warned that while some leaders may try to project that corruption has been adequately addressed, the public should “stand together” until real accountability and safeguards against repeated abuses are in place.

“We are facing a moral reckoning, and our people are seeking the truth. Corruption must finally end; nothing less will do,” he said.

Alminaza acknowledged the surge of multisectoral protests nationwide, saying the actions reflect growing public awareness that corruption and unchecked environmental abuse disproportionately harm the poor.

“Vibrant and varied actions around the country should inspire us to keep learning together. We need to keep exercising synodality and solidarity with the poor,” he added.

With Alminaza at the helm of Caritas, the social action arm of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines, the Church appears poised to take a firmer stance on governance issues — connecting ecological protection, anti-corruption efforts and democratic reforms into a unified advocacy push./CJ, WDJ