CEBU CITY – The archbishop of Cebu has issued a pastoral appeal asking the faithful to “listen, reflect, and respect one another.”

Cebu Archbishop Albert Uy lamented that Filipinos have become “divided, confused, and emotionally burdened because of political tensions, conflicting opinions, fake news, and disinformation."

“Many are asking: What is really true? Whom should we believe?” the prelate said.

Uy said it is through these moments that Filipinos should not “allow anger, hatred, mockery, and political fanaticism to take over our hearts.”

“If we lose our capacity to listen, reflect, and respect one another, our nation will suffer even more,” he said.

Amid the division, the prelate raised “important principles that should unite us as one people.”

“First, we all desire an end to corruption. We long for honesty, transparency, accountability, and responsible stewardship of public funds. The resources of our nation must serve the people, especially the poor, and not selfish interests,” he said.

The prelate emphasized that those accused of corruption or misuse of public funds should be properly investigated.

“If proven guilty, should face the proper consequences—regardless of power, wealth, or political and blood affiliation,” he said.

“Third, we also believe in fairness and due process. Every accused person must be given the opportunity to defend himself or herself according to the law and within a just process,” he added.

Uy said it is imperative that justice must be applied to all. Failing to do so may only lead to chaos, he said.

“The tension arises when people begin to feel that justice is not being applied equally. Some ask why certain personalities are pursued quickly while others, especially those allegedly involved in the flood control anomalies, seem not to be investigated with the same urgency. Whether these perceptions are accurate or not, our people need reassurance that justice is fair, impartial, and not selective,” Uy said.

Uy defended the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) which was criticized when it urged the Senate to not delay the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte while staying silent on flood control anomalies.

Uy said the CBCP has actually issued a statement on Sept. 8, 2025 strongly condemning corruption related to the flood control anomalies.

He appealed to President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. to show that flood control anomalies are “being pursued seriously, sincerely, and without favoritism.”

“If wrongdoing is proven, those responsible must be held accountable and punished accordingly, regardless of political party or influence. Justice must never favor only the powerful or the politically convenient,” he said.

He appealed to the CBCP to continue “speaking clearly and courageously in defense of truth, justice, accountability, and the common good.”

“We should be just as strong in urging a swift and credible investigation into the flood control anomalies as we are in calling for the proper constitutional process regarding the impeachment case,” he said.