A Catholic bishop on Wednesday urged Philippine lawmakers to uphold honesty and integrity, warning that even small lies can erode public trust.
Speaking during Mass at the House of Representatives, Bishop Jose Colin Bagaforo of Kidapawan said legislators should reflect God’s faithfulness and truth in their daily work.
“Let us live in the truth because It’s a sin to tell a lie,” Bagaforo said in his homily.
He warned that repeated falsehoods fuel skepticism toward leaders, weaken families, and contribute to a broader crisis of credibility.
The bishop cited the fable of “The Boy Who Cried Wolf” to illustrate how habitual lying prevents others from believing the truth when it matters most.
Bagaforo urged lawmakers to model honesty and accountability, saying public service demands words and actions that can be trusted without doubt.
“Even if telling the truth is difficult, even if it is embarrassing, even if it costs us something – it is always better than a lie,” Bagaforo said.
He reminded officials that, as children of God, they are called to live in truth and maintain integrity in both private and public life, adding that small lies can escalate into a “web” of deception that undermines character and public confidence.
