Almost 100,000 Filipinos take to the streets with the Church to fight corruption

At least 119 initiatives across the country coincide with the anniversary of the birth of national hero Andrés Bonifacio. Cardinal David calls for ‘intensifying’ the fight and invites people to take “steps” towards justice. Solidarity with the ‘Second Trillion Pesos March’. Among the objectives of the fight is the ‘excessive greed’ of those who manage power and public goods.

Manila (AsiaNews) - United against corruption, nearly 92,000 Filipinos took to the streets yesterday to peacefully demonstrate against corruption in the country and for a ruling class capable of responding to the nation's challenges and protecting its citizens.

The protest coincided with the anniversary of the birth of Andrés Bonifacio (1863-1897), one of the country's national heroes, and brought together over 16,000 people in Manila.

Meanwhile, police sources (PNP) report ‘at least 119’ demonstrations and marches across the archipelago organised by religious groups, civil society movements and other organisations.

Cardinal Pablo Virgilio David, Bishop of Kalookan and outgoing president of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines (CBCP), celebrated a solemn Mass during the main gathering at the Edsa People Power Monument in Quezon City, which was attended by thousands of faithful.

‘The fight against corruption must intensify’ because ‘it requires each of us to take concrete steps towards justice,’ added the Bishop of Cubao, Monsignor Elias Ayuban Jr., assuring that the ongoing struggle to restore what has been stolen from the public treasury does not end with the ‘Trillion Peso March.’

In his homily, the prelate expressed solidarity with the ‘Second March,’ which was attended by thousands of Filipinos from different dioceses, sectors of society and groups to relaunch their fight against corruption.

Bishop Ayuban Jr. called on Filipinos not to let their guard down and to continue to raise public awareness about public officials who should be promoting the country's development. He also thanked the faithful from 86 different dioceses who expressed solidarity with the Trillion Peso March.

The main demand was for accountability, transparency and condemnation of the irregularities revealed in public funds related to infrastructure and flood control projects, which were the focus of the second Trillion Peso March.

The first demonstration against them was held on 21 September. In her speech, Miss Universe 2018 Catriona Gray, among the tens of thousands of Filipinos present, also expressed her dissent against the rampant corruption in the country.

In Cebu, in the central Philippines, Archbishop Alberto Uy shared a message on the issue that afflicts the country and hinders its growth. It concerns the trillions of pesos that government officials and others have plundered through corruption and that could have been used to build houses and hospitals, support students and help farmers and fishermen with a view to development.

According to Fr Edwin A. Gariguez, former executive secretary of Caritas Philippines, ‘by inspiring and mobilising thousands of Catholic faithful across the nation, the Catholic Church demonstrates that its mission goes beyond worship and ritual: it includes a courageous commitment to defending justice, honesty and the common good.’

Meanwhile, the Bishop of Antipolo, Monsignor Ruperto Santos, recalled that, when united in a common struggle, the Filipino people are more powerful than elected leaders; that is why the union of popular forces is more important today than ever before.

In his message to the Trillion Peso March on 30 November, the prelate insisted that corrupt government officials and their accomplices must be held accountable so that justice can be restored and truly serve as a resource for the protection of the people and the common good.

Monsignor Ruperto Santos strongly condemned the ‘excessive greed’ of those who hold power and continue to squander public funds while young people are forced to study in dilapidated and flooded classrooms.

According to the bishop, the collective participation of citizens in the Trillion Peso March is a symbol of the defence of every ordinary Filipino. Finally, the prelate also urged the public to continue the fight for truth, justice and reform, while remaining on the path of peace. ‘Let our voices thunder throughout the country.

Let our unity be our strength. Choose peace. March with determination. Raise your voices with passion, but act with grace,’ concluded Bishop Santos.