spirituality of integrity

Fr. Albert E. Alejo, SJFr. Albert E. Alejo, SJEheM! Anti-Corruption ProgramEheM! Anti-Corruption Program

Spirituality of Integrity Spirituality of Integrity and Communal and Communal WhistleblowingWhistleblowing

Confucius says…Confucius says…““To put the To put the worldworld right in order, right in order,

we must first put the we must first put the nationnation in order; in order; to put the nation in order, to put the nation in order,

we must first put the we must first put the familyfamily in order; in order; to put the family in order, to put the family in order,

we must first cultivate our we must first cultivate our personal lifepersonal life; ; we must first set our we must first set our hearts hearts right.”right.”

““Ours is a Ours is a crippled nation,crippled nation, a a wounded Churchwounded Church, because , because we are crippled and we are crippled and woundedwoundedindividualsindividuals. If we hope to . If we hope to restorerestoretrust and credibility in thetrust and credibility in theauthoritiesauthorities, we must…start , we must…start with restoring our brokenwith restoring our brokenrelationship with relationship with GodGod..

--------Alay Kapwa Lenten Reflection Alay Kapwa Lenten Reflection (2006)(2006)

Personal FeelingsPersonal FeelingsSad and angrySad and angry about corruption. Corruption about corruption. Corruption is violence. Corruption kills. Corruption kills is violence. Corruption kills. Corruption kills hope.hope.Worried Worried of what is happening to those who of what is happening to those who try to live a life of integrity. Destroys try to live a life of integrity. Destroys missionary witness.missionary witness.GuiltyGuilty for being part of a Church and an for being part of a Church and an educational system that seem at a loss in educational system that seem at a loss in the face of the destruction of the public the face of the destruction of the public sphere. sphere. Glad Glad that young people are doing something that young people are doing something to curb corruption. to curb corruption.

I am part of the I am part of the Ehem!Ehem! Anticorruption Anticorruption Program. Program.

BIDA HERO!BIDA HERO!

Corruption is the Corruption is the abuse of abuse of publicpublic trust trust

for for privateprivate gain. gain.

Corruption is an age-old

problem…

Ehem!

SeSeriousness of riousness of Corruption Corruption

in tin the Philippineshe Philippines

Our country ranks 8Our country ranks 8thth most most corrupt countries in the world; corrupt countries in the world; 11STST in Asia, where we are in Asia, where we are considered the most Christian considered the most Christian country. country.

10 most corrupt leaders in the world

1. Mohamed Suharto (Indonesian President, 1967-1998; est. loot: US$15-35 billion)

2. Ferdinand Marcos (Philippine President, 1972-1986; est. loot: US$5-10 billion)

3. Mobuto Sese Seko (President of Zaire, 1965-1997; est. loot: US$ 5 billion)

4. Sani Abacha (President of Nigeria, 1993-1998; loot: est. US$2-5 billion)

5. Slobodan Milosevic (Serbian President, 1989-2000; est. loot: US$1 billion)

6. Jean Claude Duvalier (Haiti President, 1971-1986; est. loot: US$300-800 million)

7. Alberto Fujimouri (President of Peru, 1990-2000; est. loot: US$600 million)

8. Pavlo Lazarenko (Ukrain Prime Minister, 1996-1997; est. loot: US114-200 million)

9. Arnoldo Aleman (Nicaraguan President, 1997-2002; est. loot: US$100 million)

10. Joseph Estrada (Philippine President, 1998-2001; est. loot: US$78-80 million)

TI-Global Corruption Report (2004)

0

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10Score

1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010Year

ASEAN Corruption Perception Indices (CPIs)

Source: Transparency International

2.77 2.69

3.05 3.3

3.6

2.8 2.92.6

2.5 2.6 2.5 Philippines, Nepal

9.26

8.8 8.669.1 9.1 9.1 9.2 9.3 9.4 9.3 9.4 Singapore

5.28 5.32 5.01 5.3 5.1

4.8

5.0

4.9

5.25.0 5.1

Malaysia

Laos3.33.2

2.793.3 3.06 3.03 3.2 3.2 3.2 3.3

3.6 3.8

Thailand

1.942.65

2.722.0

1.7 1.7 1.9 1.9 1.9 2.0 2.2 Indonesia

Vietnam2.79

2.5 2.6 2.5 2.6

2.4

2.4 2.6

2.6

Myanmar

1.61.7 1.8

Unresolved national scandalsUnresolved national scandals

Some good newsSome good news Victory of Fr Panlilio in Victory of Fr Panlilio in

PampangaPampanga Losses among showbiz folks Losses among showbiz folks

and other personalitiesand other personalities Voting based on track Voting based on track

record: Robredo in Naga, record: Robredo in Naga, Fernando in Marikina, Vilma Fernando in Marikina, Vilma Santos in BatangasSantos in Batangas

Financial investments did Financial investments did not spell victory for some: not spell victory for some: Pichay, Pineda Pichay, Pineda

Monitoring groups abound Monitoring groups abound at grassroot levelat grassroot level

The saddest thing is The saddest thing is ……

Filipinos have just resigned Filipinos have just resigned themselves to the corruption, themselves to the corruption, and have learned to accept it and have learned to accept it as a part of our way of life.as a part of our way of life.

There is no more righteous There is no more righteous rage.rage.

“ “Corruption persists because Corruption persists because of acquiescence, because of acquiescence, because citizens believe that nothing citizens believe that nothing can be done.”can be done.”

The Church’s response The Church’s response to address the problemto address the problem

Thou Shalt Not Steal (1989)Thou Shalt Not Steal (1989)Pastoral exhortation on Philippine Pastoral exhortation on Philippine

Politics (1997)Politics (1997)Let Integrity Flow Like A Stream Let Integrity Flow Like A Stream

(2003)(2003)Pastoral Statement on the present Pastoral Statement on the present

Political Situation (2003)Political Situation (2003)

PASTORAL STATEMENTSPASTORAL STATEMENTS

Church as part of Church as part of problemproblem

‘‘There's a whole history to show that the There's a whole history to show that the Church, though part of the solution, is also Church, though part of the solution, is also part of the problem -- probably more the part of the problem -- probably more the second than the first. It's a Church, quite second than the first. It's a Church, quite incidentally, that is itself cleaved into rich and incidentally, that is itself cleaved into rich and poor, in part involuntarily -- some parishes are poor, in part involuntarily -- some parishes are poorer than others…As with the society itself, poorer than others…As with the society itself, the pocket of wealth and opulence at the top the pocket of wealth and opulence at the top is matched by breathtaking deprivation below, is matched by breathtaking deprivation below, a spectacular divide that doesn't suggest it a spectacular divide that doesn't suggest it holds on to values conducive to honesty, or holds on to values conducive to honesty, or indeed Christianity.’indeed Christianity.’

——Conrado de QuirosConrado de Quiros

Communion and Communion and CorruptionCorruption

““I cannot praise you, for your gatherings I cannot praise you, for your gatherings are not for the better but for the worse… are not for the better but for the worse… When you gather together, there are When you gather together, there are divisions among you. Each one eats at divisions among you. Each one eats at once his own food and while one is once his own food and while one is hungry, the other is getting drunk… Let hungry, the other is getting drunk… Let each one, then, examine himself before each one, then, examine himself before eating the bread and drinking from the eating the bread and drinking from the cup. Otherwise, he eats and drinks his cup. Otherwise, he eats and drinks his own condemnation.” own condemnation.” 1 Cor. 11: 17-291 Cor. 11: 17-29

Eleventh Synod of BishopsEleventh Synod of Bishops “The Eucharist, Source and Summit of “The Eucharist, Source and Summit of the Life and Mission of the Church” the Life and Mission of the Church”

““Those who share in the Eucharist must Those who share in the Eucharist must commit themselves to creating peace in commit themselves to creating peace in our world, which is marked by violence, our world, which is marked by violence, war and, especially today, by terrorism, war and, especially today, by terrorism, economic economic corruption corruption and sexual and sexual exploitation. The conditions for building exploitation. The conditions for building true peace are the restoration of justice, true peace are the restoration of justice, reconciliation and forgiveness." reconciliation and forgiveness."

Proposition No. 48 (2005)Proposition No. 48 (2005)

CBCP statement (2003)CBCP statement (2003) ‘‘Today we point an accusing finger at Today we point an accusing finger at

ourselves…We are aware, too, that in ourselves…We are aware, too, that in other areas of Church life as in parish other areas of Church life as in parish financial management, some Church financial management, some Church members and leaders, through loose members and leaders, through loose and dishonest stewardship, stray and dishonest stewardship, stray from the path of righteousness and from the path of righteousness and integrityintegrity… CBCP … CBCP “Let Integrity Flow “Let Integrity Flow Like a Stream”’ (2003)Like a Stream”’ (2003)

CBCP Call for ActionCBCP Call for Action ““Awareness is not enough…We challenge Awareness is not enough…We challenge

new groups to organize themselves and new groups to organize themselves and address this problem in their respective address this problem in their respective sectors...sectors... We urge all our Catholic We urge all our Catholic institutions, schools, parishes, religious institutions, schools, parishes, religious organizations and movements, and the Basic organizations and movements, and the Basic Ecclesial Communities to emphasize value Ecclesial Communities to emphasize value formation, especially in the family, and to formation, especially in the family, and to throw themselves vigorously into the throw themselves vigorously into the campaign. We encourage them to use the campaign. We encourage them to use the ‘‘Ehem!Ehem! A Manual for Deepening involvement A Manual for Deepening involvement in Combating Corruption.’” in Combating Corruption.’”

Implications for Educational Implications for Educational and Family Ministryand Family Ministry

We must We must realign our values realign our values formation formation with good with good citizenship and good citizenship and good governance. governance. Charity begins Charity begins at home, but it should not at home, but it should not end there!end there!


Our homes shall be a school Our homes shall be a school for the kind of love that goes for the kind of love that goes beyond kinship and family beyond kinship and family tiesties, but reaches out to , but reaches out to social and environmental social and environmental concerns. concerns.


Our homes shall be a training Our homes shall be a training ground for ground for hard and honest hard and honest work,work, for simple lifestyle, for for simple lifestyle, for harmony with nature, for a harmony with nature, for a profound profound reverence for the reverence for the value of words value of words and a deep and a deep disdain for deception and disdain for deception and untruth. untruth.

Lay Mission in PoliticsLay Mission in Politics Vatican Council II says: "The Church Vatican Council II says: "The Church

regards as worthy of praise and regards as worthy of praise and consideration the work of those who, consideration the work of those who, as a service to others, dedicate as a service to others, dedicate themselves to the public good of the themselves to the public good of the state and undertake the burdens of state and undertake the burdens of this task."[150] (CL42)this task."[150] (CL42)

Integrity, as spirituality, is Integrity, as spirituality, is more than fighting more than fighting

corruptioncorruption1. 1. Discernment:Discernment: Finding out what is Finding out what is

true.true.““Hanapin at harapin ang Hanapin at harapin ang totoototoo.”.”

2. 2. Commitment:Commitment: Doing what is right. Doing what is right.““Gawin ng Gawin ng tamatama.”.”

3. 3. Pronouncement:Pronouncement: Saying what is real. Saying what is real.““Magsabi nang Magsabi nang tapattapat.”.”

Why is Personal Integrity Why is Personal Integrity Linked with Public Linked with Public

Integrity?Integrity? Political parties have no real principles and Political parties have no real principles and agenda, and so people focus more on agenda, and so people focus more on personality. personality.

Media have learned to expose personal scandal Media have learned to expose personal scandal because of liberalism in libel accusation.because of liberalism in libel accusation.

Women’s groups and religious groups have Women’s groups and religious groups have questioned the validity of the traditional questioned the validity of the traditional separation between public and private lives. separation between public and private lives.

Integrity by Staying in Public Integrity by Staying in Public PostPost

Why stay in your public post when you see Why stay in your public post when you see corruption going on?corruption going on?

1.1. Your motivation is to reform from the Your motivation is to reform from the inside. Oath of office is a promise to be inside. Oath of office is a promise to be fulfilled.fulfilled.

2.2. You believe you are effective in a particular You believe you are effective in a particular role or office.role or office.

Note: Check the truth of the two assumptions. Note: Check the truth of the two assumptions. Beware of self-deception.Beware of self-deception.

Integrity in ResigningIntegrity in ResigningWhy leave the office? In some cases, the way of Why leave the office? In some cases, the way of

integrity is to resign from your position.integrity is to resign from your position. Personal commitment and stamina.Personal commitment and stamina. Obligations of particular office have Obligations of particular office have

changed.changed. One is no longer effective or listened to.One is no longer effective or listened to.

Note: It is good to keep resigning as an option. Note: It is good to keep resigning as an option. One must not always resort to excuses, such One must not always resort to excuses, such as “following orders” or “wala akong as “following orders” or “wala akong magagawa.”magagawa.”

Integrity in WhistleblowingIntegrity in WhistleblowingWhy should a person risk job and life to expose Why should a person risk job and life to expose

anomalies?anomalies?1. Right motivation: justice and the common 1. Right motivation: justice and the common

good, not personal vendettagood, not personal vendetta2. Explored regular forums for airing complaints.2. Explored regular forums for airing complaints.3. Technical and spiritual preparation.3. Technical and spiritual preparation.

Note: Please see “Aha! Citizens Primer on Note: Please see “Aha! Citizens Primer on Whistleblowing”Whistleblowing”

Ethics and Spirituality of Whistleblowing

The beheading of Longino, the Roman soldier who, according to the version of the Pasyon, refused to be bribed to lie about the resurrection of Jesus.

And he stuck to his new found meaning in life even to the point of losing his head.

This sacrifice is symbolized by the huge, colorful mask, rolling down the hill, after being cut off by the death-dealing axe of those who could not stand the truth of God’s offer of salvation.

EHEMPLO“Show yourself in all respects

a model of good deeds, and in your teaching

show integrity, dignity, and sound speech

that cannot be criticized.”

------Titus 2:7 Titus 2:7

It’s time for communal It’s time for communal action!action!

Paring Bert, Paring Bert, may pag-asa pa may pag-asa pa

ba talaga?ba talaga?

Lessons from Cancer Lessons from Cancer survivors…survivors…

““Paring Bert, Paring Bert, we may lose hair, we may lose hair, but we do not lose hope!”but we do not lose hope!”

Hopelessness is a luxury we Hopelessness is a luxury we cannot afford!cannot afford!

TAGAGISINGTAGAGISINGPag araw ay nasilipPag araw ay nasilipTitindig yaring manokTitindig yaring manokDadagukan ang dibdibDadagukan ang dibdibSaka lang titilaok!Saka lang titilaok!

Aba at may sumasabayAba at may sumasabayDumadagok, sumisigaw!Dumadagok, sumisigaw!Hindi lahat pala’y himbingHindi lahat pala’y himbingKay rami nang ngayo’y Kay rami nang ngayo’y

gising! gising!