BY MAE SINGUAY
BACOLOD City – An event dubbed the “White Revolution: Toward Moral Recovery and Good Governance,” aimed at promoting integrity and accountability among public officials and employees, is set to be launched in this city in the second week of November.
The initiative will be spearheaded by several Bacolod clergy members in collaboration with the Office of Lone District Rep. Alfredo Abelardo Benitez.
Benitez said he met on October 20 with four Bacolod priests — Fr. Aniceto “Mao” Buenafe Jr., Fr. Armando “Arman” Onion, Fr. Filomeno “Menong” Duaban, and Fr. Hermes “Mench” Fabio — to discuss corruption, moral renewal, and the city’s continuing flood control problems.
Also present during the meeting were Vice Mayor Claudio Jesus Puentevella and councilors Caesar Distrito, Thaddy Sayson, Celia Flor, and Al Espino, who expressed support for collaborative measures between the Church and local government to promote good governance and moral recovery.
The dialogue followed Benitez’s earlier meeting with Cardinal Ambo David, where they discussed ethical challenges in public service, including corruption in infrastructure projects.
The congressman said Cardinal David emphasized that “there can be no reconciliation without truth,” underscoring that confession, contrition, restitution, and penance are essential to genuine moral renewal. The cardinal also cautioned against allowing political expediency to prevail over the welfare of the people.
Among the proposed initiatives are the implementation of a Moral Recovery Program starting at the barangay level, recollections for city and barangay officials, and potentially extending to purok chairpersons.
Benitez explained that the recollections will first be held for elected officials, followed by city employees, in batches of about 20 participants per session.
During the same meeting, the solon also discussed the causes of Bacolod’s flood control issues and proposed reforms to ensure transparency and accountability in the implementation of public works. He expressed support for a proposed ordinance requiring the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) to conduct prior consultations and coordination with the city government before undertaking national projects in Bacolod.
The clergy, led by Fr. Buenafe, expressed full support for Benitez’s planned Flood Summit, commending his resolve to confront immoral practices within government institutions.
However, Church leaders clarified that their involvement in the program will not prevent them from pursuing the truth about alleged anomalies in flood control projects, nor will it hinder citizens’ efforts to seek accountability.
The dialogue also tackled the revival of anti-mendicancy campaigns and the holding of voluntary recollections among city officials as symbolic acts of humility and accountability./PN
