MANILA — A call for accountability amid the controversy surrounding multibillion-peso flood control projects took center stage during the Misa Mayor marking the opening of the 2026 Feast of Jesus Nazareno on Friday.
Balanga Bishop Rufino Sescon, who presided over the High Mass at the Quirino Grandstand, used his homily to directly address alleged wrongdoing linked to the projects, urging those involved to relinquish their positions.
“May mga ayaw bumaba kahit mali na at bistado na, ayaw bumaba kahit pahirap na sa bayan, ayaw bumaba kahit nagdurusa na ang mga mahihirap, ayaw bumaba kahit binabaha at nasisira na ang bayan, at ayaw bumaba kahit hindi karapat-dapat,” Sescon said.
“Tumigil na. Tama na. Maawa na kayo sa taong-bayan. Mahiya naman kayo, bumaba na ng kusa, alang-alang sa awa at pag-ibig,” he added.
The bishop said public officials who refuse to give up power despite apparent wrongdoing should reflect on the example set by Jesus Christ.
“Bumaba sa sariling interes para sa kabutihan ng lahat. Bumaba sa katahimikan kapag may inaapi na at niloloko. Bumaba sa pagkamanhid upang magmalasakit sa bayan. Bumaba sa kasalanan para sa tunay na pagbabago,” Sescon said.
Even before the start of the Mass, the issue had already been highlighted through a stage performance that touched on the flood control controversy and called for justice and accountability.
The Manila archbishop traditionally presides over the Misa Mayor, but Manila Archbishop Jose Cardinal Advincula was unable to attend as he was in Rome for Pope Leo XIV’s first extraordinary consistory, or meeting of cardinals, from January 7 to 8./PN
