Bishops urge public to join Sept. 21 protests vs corruption

biblelightspromotion
Sep 21
2 min read

From the Website of CBCP

links: https://cbcpnews.net/cbcpnews/bishops-urge-public-to-join-sept-21-protests-vs-corruption/

The Catholic bishops’ leadership has appealed to the public to join a nationwide day of prayer and protest against corruption on Sunday, Sept. 21.

The “Trillion Peso March” will be held at 2 p.m. at the EDSA People Power Monument, with simultaneous prayer rallies encouraged in dioceses, parishes, and Catholic schools across the country.

The bishops said the gathering is “not a political spectacle, but a moral stand” against entrenched corruption that “robs our people of dignity, deepens poverty, and betrays our future.”

“Let us not meet corruption with apathy or violence, but with faith, courage, and unity. Let us raise our voices in prayer, in conscience, and in peaceful action,” they said in a statement.

Thousands are expected to join the protests amid mounting anger over alleged anomalies in government-funded flood control projects.

In Metro Manila, activities will be held at EDSA and Luneta Park in Manila.

The bishops urged dioceses, parishes, Catholic schools, and civic groups outside Metro Manila to organize simultaneous prayer rallies as a show of nationwide solidarity.

The CBCP also called on legislators, oversight bodies, and prosecuting agencies to act decisively on corruption scandals, particularly in flood-control projects and budget insertions.

“We issue a serious appeal to our legislators, independent oversight bodies, and prosecuting agencies: expedite the process of investigation and accountability,” the bishops said.

“Our people deserve concrete solutions—not empty rhetoric, not endless political grandstanding, not the usual delaying tactics. Enough is enough!” they added.

The bishops stressed that the rallies seek to strengthen, not destabilize, democracy, and urged Filipinos to resist attempts by opportunists to exploit public outrage.

“We must resist opportunists who exploit our outrage for selfish gain, while reminding our leaders that accountability must be pursued through due process, within the bounds of our Constitution and the rule of law,” the statement reads.

They also appealed to young people to use digital platforms to “document truth, expose wrongdoing, and build communities of conscience,” and welcomed honest government workers to join as a sign that reform is possible. “Corruption is not just about stolen money — it is about stolen futures: flooded homes, poisoned lands, wasted opportunities for our children,” the CBCP said.