September 21, 2:00pm, EDSA People Power Monument
Dear sisters and brothers in Christ – parishes, BECs (basic ecclesial communities), priests, consecrated persons and laity, charismatic communities, young people, Catholic schools, our fellow Christians from various denominations, fellow believers from various communities of faith, civil society, and all people of goodwill.
As bishops, we call on everyone to join us in a peaceful gathering called the “Trillion Peso March” (Day of Prayer and Accountability). This will be held at the EDSA People Power Monument on Sunday, September 21, at 2:00pm.
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.
We also invite those outside Metro Manila to join the prayer rallies organized by their dioceses, parishes, Catholic schools, or other faith-based and civic groups. We encourage similar initiatives in all ecclesiastical jurisdictions across the country, as a sign of solidarity in this nationwide day of peaceful witness.
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. Our purpose is not to destabilize, but to strengthen our democracy.
Let us come together as one people of God, united by faith and concern for the common good. In our recent pastoral letter “Beyond Survival”, we proposed concrete steps that now find their moment:
- Be vigilant and vocal – Do not allow cynicism to numb our outrage.
- Reject patronage politics – Refuse to sell your votes or trade them for favors. Demand integrity in leadership.
- Model honesty in daily life – Integrity begins in our families, classrooms, workplaces, and barangays.
- Build communities of truth – Share only verified information, counter lies, and expose cover-ups.
- Join civic and parish initiatives – Work with movements for good governance, ecological justice, and social renewal.
- Support an independent probe – Unite in calling for a truly independent investigation of corruption in flood-control projects and budget insertions.
- Demand justice, not impunity – Call for criminal charges against those who systematically plunder public funds.
- Lead by example in the Church – Let our parishes and dioceses practice transparency and accountability.
- Live modestly, resist excess – We appeal especially to leaders in government, business, and Church to embrace simplicity and solidarity with the poor.
We especially appeal to our male and female consecrated persons, seminarians and their formators, and our Catholic school communities to actively participate. Your prayer, witness, and presence are invaluable signs that integrity and holiness are at the heart of Christian discipleship.
We also welcome the presence of many honest and hardworking government employees and officials. Your participation testifies that not all in government are corrupt, and that reform is possible when conscience is alive.
A Word to the Youth
Young people, we entrust to you a special mission. As Jesus said: “Be innocent as doves, and clever as serpents” (Mt 10:16).
You have in your hands a power no generation ever had: the digital space. Use it wisely and courageously—to document truth, expose wrongdoing, and build communities of conscience. But remember: your strength is not in rage but in steadfast hope; not in violence, but in truth and solidarity.
Final Appeal
Beloved brothers and sisters, corruption is not just about stolen money—it is about stolen futures: flooded homes, poisoned lands, wasted opportunities for our children.
We issue a serious appeal to our legislators, independent oversight bodies, and prosecuting agencies: expedite the process of investigation and accountability. Ensure that government contracts are executed with transparency and integrity, devoid of graft and corruption. Our people deserve concrete solutions—not empty rhetoric, not endless political grandstanding, not the usual delaying tactics. Enough is enough! We will no longer accept that this investigation simply die a natural death, like so many before it that eventually ended in political accommodations and compromises.
And to those who have enriched themselves at the expense of the poor: we echo the call of Jesus to Zacchaeus, “Come down” (cf. Lk 19:5). Come down from your arrogance and greed. Choose conversion, make restitution, and repair the damage you have caused. There can be no true peace without justice, and no justice without repentance.
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.
Come to the EDSA People Power Monument on Sunday, September 21, at 2:00pm.
Let our gathering be a sign that the Filipino people, guided by faith, will no longer be passive.
Let us stand firm for truth, justice, and renewal.
Together, let us be “innocent as doves, clever as serpents”, and builders of a nation where justice and honesty prevail.
For the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines:
+PABLO VIRGILIO S. CARDINAL DAVID
Bishop of Kalookan
CBCP President
