Archbishop Soc calls for deep reform on Martal Law anniversary
DAGUPAN-LINGAYEN Archbishop Socrates Villegas has urged Catholics to move beyond mere remembrance of the 1972 Martial Law declaration on September 21 and embrace a deeper conversion that rejects corruption and demands systemic reform.
In a pastoral letter titled “Kulang pa ang ‘Tama na!’” to be read in all Masses across the Archdiocese of Lingayen-Dagupan this Sunday, the archbishop said that recalling the dark years of the Marcos dictatorship should not only be a historical exercise but a solemn call to repentance, reform, and renewed vigilance against authoritarianism.
“Those were the worst and darkest of times; those were also the best of times for heroism and martyrdom,” Villegas said, citing the years of “oppressive dictatorship, crony plunder, arrests without warrants, torture, and military repression” that lasted until the 1986 EDSA People Power Revolution.
He warned that the culture of corruption and abuse that flourished during the dictatorship has not been eradicated.
“Now corruption has become systemic, organized, strategized and multi-layered,” he said. “Independence, fairness and integrity have become so rare. Investigation and truth-seeking seem almost impossible to achieve.”
Archbishop Villegas called for a radical change in mindset and behavior — not just protest action.
He added that citizens must reject patronage politics, refuse bribes, and stop asking politicians for favors or financial assistance.
Beyond denouncing corrupt systems, the archbishop emphasized the need for personal integrity and daily honesty. (Eva Visperas)
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