The country's fight against corruption will not be won by prosecutions alone. It begins with something far more difficult: changing the human heart.

That was the challenge Kidapawan Bishop Colin Bagaforo delivered on Sunday as he celebrated Mass at the EDSA Shrine before thousands of religious leaders, lay faithful and civil society advocates joined the White Ribbon March to the nearby People Power Monument.

In a homily that wove together the day's Gospel and the country's political realities, Bagaforo argued that corruption is not simply the result of poverty, weak institutions or lack of opportunity. It is, at its core, a spiritual disease born of selfishness.

"Maraming nagsasabi na ang ugat ng kasamaan ay kahirapan, kakulangan ng edukasyon o kakulangan ng oportunidad. Tama nga naman, may katotohanan din iyon," he told the congregation.

"Pero kung titingnan natin nang mas malalim, may isa pang ugat ng maraming kasalanan at kaguluhan sa mundo—self-centeredness."

The bishop, who chairs the Inter-Religious Leaders' Council for National Transformation, celebrated the Eucharist that opened the White Ribbon March, an interfaith-led mobilization calling for accountability in government, an end to corruption and political dynasties, and reforms in public governance.

Drawing from Jesus' instruction to place God above all else, Bagaforo said the fundamental question confronting Christians is not simply whether they love God, but who truly sits at the center of their lives.

"Ang sentro ng buhay natin ay hindi ako. Ang sentro ay walang iba kundi si Kristo," he said.

That question, he suggested, extends beyond personal faith and into public office.

When leaders become consumed by personal ambition, wealth and power, he said, corruption becomes almost inevitable.

"Kapag ako ang sentro, nagiging madali ang pagsisinungaling. Kapag ako ang sentro, nagiging madali ang panlalamang. Kapag ako ang sentro, nagiging madali ang pag-abuso sa kapangyarihan. At kapag ako ang sentro, nagiging madali ang korapsyon."

Bagaforo lamented that public money meant for schools, hospitals, healthcare and other essential services is instead diverted to private interests, depriving ordinary Filipinos of opportunities for a better life.

Church leaders have become increasingly vocal about ethical leadership and accountability amid public debates over the use of confidential funds, alleged anomalies in infrastructure spending and other corruption issues. 

Sunday's White Ribbon March was organized as what its convenors described as a nonpartisan call for truth, justice and accountability.

For Bagaforo, however, lasting reform requires more than exposing wrongdoing.

He contrasted the mindset of self-serving leaders with that of Christ.

"Kapag ang isang tao ay nasa kapangyarihan, ang tanong ay, 'Ano ang mapapala ko rito?' Ang tanong ni Jesus ay, 'Ano ang maibibigay ko?'"

Jesus, he said, chose the cross instead of comfort, sacrifice instead of self-interest.

To illustrate his point, Bagaforo turned to the African philosophy of Ubuntu—"I am because we are"—which he said closely reflects the Christian understanding that every person's life finds meaning in serving others.

As the congregation prepared to leave the shrine and join the march, the bishop offered one final thought—one that reframed corruption not simply as a legal or political issue, but as a failure to love.

"Ang kabaliktaran ng korapsyon ay hindi lamang katapatan," he said.

"Ang mas malalim na kabaliktaran ng korapsyon ay pagmamahal. Sapagkat ang taong tunay na nagmamahal ay hindi magnanakaw sa kapwa."###