Photo credit: Diocese of Borongan

A U.S.-based watchdog has just dropped a bombshell database, revealing the names of over 80 priests with ties to the Philippines who have been accused of sexually abusing minors. And yet, the silence from Filipino bishops on these cases? Deafening.

The Database That Shouldn’t Have to Exist
BishopAccountability.org, the organization behind this revelation, isn’t new to investigating abuse cases in the Catholic Church. This is their fifth publicly available database, following previous reports on the U.S., Argentina, Chile, and Ireland. This time, their focus is on the world’s third-largest Catholic country—where no priest has ever been convicted for child sexual abuse.

The list includes:
• Filipino priests accused of abuse in the Philippines
• Filipino priests accused while serving in the U.S.
• Foreign priests (from the U.S., Ireland, and Australia) accused while working in the Philippines

But here’s the kicker: This list of 82 names is just the tip of the iceberg.

A Culture of Silence?

Unlike other countries where victims have found legal and media support, the Philippines has seen little to no serious investigations, lawsuits, or government probes into clergy abuse. BishopAccountability.org suggests this lack of accountability allows abusive priests to continue working in the country without consequences.

Think about it: More than 80 million Catholics in the Philippines, and not a single priest has been criminally convicted?

According to Bishop Buenaventura Famadico, this highlights a system that shields perpetrators instead of protecting victims.

Why This Matters

The report makes it clear—without legal reforms, stronger victim support, and real investigations, many cases will remain hidden. Survivors deserve justice, and the Catholic Church in the Philippines has a responsibility to address these allegations head-on.

Will this database be a wake-up call for the country? Or will it be another case of silence and impunity? That remains to be seen.