Open letter to Bishop Ledesma

Ben Contreras .

DEAR Archbishop Ledesma,

Let me thank you again for accepting me to your place one afternoon, a few months before Oscar Moreno sought another office term. I may not remember all the things we talked about but I will try to recollect some of the more important things.

I told you then that “I am not here to ask for your/church help but just to inform you that I am running for mayor and why I am running.”

I remember telling you about an article written by the then Sen. Manny Villar that “30 to 40 percent of our national budget will just go to the pockets of the politicians.” Coming from a solon like him, I was appalled by the silence of the reading public. This gave rise to the question, “Is it now the order of the day?” Alas, corruption has indeed been institutionalized in this country.

I cited to you the corruption taking place, including my personal experience with Moreno while he was governor of Misamis Oriental. I also cited to you the budget of the city government that if 30 to 40 percent of the city government’s budget really goes to the wrong pockets, we would be talking of a bit more than a billion pesos. And what would have these huge amounts of money done for our city? It’s not hard to imagine what this money could do for our city and the community. The list would be too long, so, let me spare that.

When I told you of the immorality issues hounding Moreno, you seemed to be indifferent. Is it because it’s personal? Being a man of the Church, I leave it to you.

You asked for proof and I said, people won’t incessantly talk about it if there is no proof. But if proof is what you want, talk to his wife and ask her what she told our group during the election period of Moreno’s running for his first term against Dongkoy Emano.

Today, you don’t even have to need for proof. The Ombudsman has rendered its decisions several times against Moreno. And yes, there would be more. If Moreno was able to buy his way out of these problems, it’s because some people have put a price on their judgment, but it does not erase guilt. And if you don’t believe in his guilt, then perhaps, you too will have to answer for your lapses in judgments.

Your silence is giving us the impression that you are on his side. But for whatever reason, I see it as your taking the side of evil.

It’s unimaginable that you do not know what’s happening in the city. You’ve been heard to have taken a lot against our President. How come there’s nothing against our mayor?

Your influence over as lot of people in what to believe is immense. Have you ever considered that when you influence people to believe that this is right when it is in fact wrong, your sin would become not just yours but also theirs, the people you misled?

Oh, the influence of the Jesuits — I wish I could understand that. But for all the years that Moreno was able to do what he is good at, your lack of care and concern for the welfare of our city and the people, does that not make you a silent accessory?

With your silence, you lost some of your flock. With your indifference, you lost some people’s respect for the Church. What more do you need to happen?

I do not seek to judge you as a man of God. I only need to understand you and why you have taken such a stand. I hope it’s not too much to ask.