Solidarity Philippines affirms the call of five Catholic bishops for fundamental and far-reaching transformation of Philippine society. No matter how belated the call may seem in light of the Arroyo administration?s moral bankruptcy as shown by its proclivity to corruption, one thing is very clear: the common good and the cause of social justice cannot be advanced in the Philippines under the present dispensation.

Solidarity Philippines believes that this call should be treated in tandem with the decision of various progressive individuals and groups in November 2007 to reject a morally bankrupt government.

The kleptocratic-oligarchic character and illegitimacy of the Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo administration have pushed these bishops from taking an exhortative stance to making an imperative call. The bishops are simply taking to heart ?Apostolorum Successores,? which reiterates that the bishop, as an individual [and the conference of bishops in a specific national territory, by extension], has a role in promoting justice and peace:

?[T]he Bishop is called to be a prophet of justice and peace, a defender of the inalienable rights of the human person ? by proclaiming the Church?s teaching, especially in defense of the right to life from conception to natural death; in defense of human dignity; and, taking to heart the defense of the weak, he lends his voice to those who have no voice of their own, to assert their rights ? the Bishop needs to condemn vigorously all forms of violence and to raise his voice in favor of those who are unemployed, oppressed, persecuted or humiliated, and in favor of children who suffer grave abuse.?

Their judgment on the moral bankruptcy of the Arroyo administration undoubtedly dovetails with the principle enunciated in the ?Social Doctrine of the Church? regarding the assumption and exercise of political authority:

?It is from the moral order that authority derives its power to impose obligations and its moral legitimacy, not from some arbitrary will or from the thirst for power, and it is to translate this order into concrete actions to achieve the common good.?

Thus, with the fervor of Jesus the savior, the founder and perfecter of our faith, and with the guidance of the Holy Spirit, Solidarity Philippines wholeheartedly welcomes the call of these five bishops. Their call for us to prepare now for a new government should be heeded, and their assertion of the presence of ?liberators? at the crucial junctures of Philippine history is indicative of the intrinsic worth of every individual Filipino, most especially the oppressed and exploited masses. It is now time to reject and eject a morally bankrupt administration.

?The night is far spent, let us cast off deeds of darkness.? Day is here, let us live in the light of day.? Our salvation is at hand, let us cast off deeds of night?.? (Ephesians 5.8-17)

PAOLO C. COLABRES, solidarity_philippines@yahoo.com