ALONGSIDE indignant calls, flapping tarpaulins and streamers calling for crashing to a halt widespread corruption on Sunday, the message of Catholic Cardinal Virgilio David vibrated thoroughly in the crowd of protesters,
His message to participants during the “Trillion Peso March 2.0” anti-corruption rallies at the EDSA people Power Monument in Quezon City and the bayside Luneta in Manila as well as in nearly 90 dioceses across the nation boomed out loud and clear.
“Don’t burn down the whole house just to get rid of the rats” – a definitely explicit call to work within the existing democratic system despite its flaws, suggesting that is better than having none.
This synchronized with what Caritas Philippines Chief Bishop Jose Colin Bagaforo’s statement where he stressed the Trillion Peso March movement is not political, but a moral stand for truth, justice, and honest governance.
Cardinal David, president of the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines, was dead-on in issuing an admonition against military intervention he described as a “tragedy” that would bring more harm than good.
In the same breath, the 66-year-old cardinal thanked members of the armed forces and uniformed personnel, who remain true to their mandates and continue to uphold the rule of law despite political pressures.
We heard Cardinal David say “We reject proposals for a ‘transitional council’ or a revolutionary government because we refuse to let the Philippines become a ‘banana republic.’ We also oppose any civilian or military junta, even if bishops are promised government positions.”
In rejecting appearingly quick, if drastic measures, the cardinal raised the stage in his advocacy for change through justice, truth, and the law.
He embellished on the metaphor, comparing fixing the government to bathing a child and discarding only the dirty water, not the child itself, and urged the repair and protection of the government.
Many, including us, heard him highlight the importance of holding corrupt officials accountable through legal means and called on the Senate to fulfill its duty regarding impeachment proceedings.
David also proposed a “revolution of integrity” and moral reconstruction, focusing on dismantling corrupt networks and ending political dynasties.
His statement underlined the Church’s stance on addressing societal problems through lawful and moral avenues, rather than actions that could destabilize the nation.
People of the faith also heard the cardinal call directly on President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to “finish what he started” and ensure to the pained public that those who pillaged public funds will indeed be held accountable.
His call was resonant: “Mr. President, even though it is clear that you have command responsibility over the atrocious butchering of the national budget… Our appeal is just simple: Do your job.
“Stand by what you have started… Show that you will see it to the end through a truly transparent ICI (Independent Commission for Infrastructure) investigation that will hold the corrupt accountable, wherever the evidence may lead, without sparing anyone.”
