Anti-corruption rallies all set today

The Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) has called on the faithful to join a nationwide "Day of Prayer and Accountability Against Corruption" today, Sept. 21, at 2 p.m. at the EDSA People Power Monument.

- By JEL SANTOS, AARON RECUENCO, and MERLINA HERNANDO-MALIPOT

• CBCP to faithful: Join 'Trillion Peso March'

• Transport, militant groups to hold Luneta rallies

• Students, officials joining protests

• PNP ready for mass actions

At the Luneta in Manila, transport and militant groups are expected to hold separate rallies, also against corruption.

Likewise, administrators, academics, and students from major universities on Taft Avenue have joined forces under the One Taft Alliance to condemn corruption in flood-control projects and pledge participation in the nationwide protests today.

With the scheduled massive protests, the Philippine National Police (PNP) said it is fully prepared to secure the anti-corruption rallies.

But just like any event, acting PNP chief Lt. Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. urged protest organizers to help the police in making the two protest actions peaceful and orderly.

The CBCP—in its pastoral statement, signed by CBCP president Cardinal Pablo Virgilio David, the bishop of Caloocan—said: “As bishops, we call on everyone to join us in a peaceful gathering called the "Trillion Peso March' (Day of Prayer and Accountability)." "This gathering is not a political spectacle, but a moral stand. It is a moment of prayer, solidarity, and action against the entrenched culture of corruption that robs our people of dignity, deepens poverty, and betrays our future," the CBCP added.

The bishops said those outside Metro Manila may also participate through prayer rallies to be organized by dioceses, parishes, Catholic schools, and civic groups across the country.

"We encourage similar initiatives in all ecclesiastical jurisdictions across the country, as a sign of solidarity in this nationwide day of peaceful witness," the CBCP stressed.

Call for vigilance, truth, and justice

The CBCP outlined nine concrete steps for Christians and civic leaders to resist corruption: