MANILA (LiCAS News/RVA News): “We are here at the EDSA People Power Monument because we do not want quick fixes. We do not need to burn the whole house down when what we want is to catch and hold accountable the cockroaches and rats in our society,” said Pablo Virgilio Cardinal David of Kalookan in remarks after Mass on November 30, addressing thousands who joined the expanded “Trillion Peso March” actions across the country.
Cardinal David invoked the legacy of the 1986 EDSA Uprising on Sunday as he defended the decision to gather protesters at the People Power Monument, in Quezon City, saying the movement sought to uphold democratic principles and reject any path toward violent or unconstitutional change.
The cardinal noted that Luneta was not chosen as the main venue since protesters there have “a call that we do not yet agree with,” adding that the Church-led anti-corruption rally respects other protest groups “who have already come to that call because they are tired of a corrupt system.”
He observed, “We are tired too. But if it is ‘resign all’ immediately, what is the alternative? What comes after?”
We do not need to burn the whole house down when what we want is to catch and hold accountable the cockroaches and rats in our society
Cardinal David
He said organisers also avoided Mendiola [near Malacañang Palace] because of its history of tension and the presence of groups intent on confrontation.
“We do not want violence and disorder. We are disciples of democracy. Who would not be afraid to go to Mendiola when your companions there are people covering their faces, inciting anger, beating the police, destroying traffic lights, and throwing Molotov cocktails?” he asked.
Cardinal David said the protests firmly oppose any push for military intervention, a revolutionary government, a transitional council, or a junta.
He emphasised that Church leaders have no role in political power or governance and that their responsibility lies in providing moral and spiritual leadership, not occupying government positions.
The cardinal also thanked uniformed personnel at the rally for upholding their oaths, noting their presence at EDSA and their assistance to participants. He said the troops demonstrated fidelity to the Constitution and expressed gratitude for their role in defending democratic values.
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He emphasised that Church leaders have no role in political power or governance and that their responsibility lies in providing moral and spiritual leadership, not occupying government positions
From this stance, he said the protests aim to restore transparency and strengthen oversight mechanisms that have “failed,” allowing corruption to spread unchecked.
He noted that pork barrel [discretionary funds] practices declared unconstitutional years ago continue to reappear in the national budget through “hundreds of billions of pesos of flood control and other infrastructure projects,” many of which he described as “ghosts.”
The cardinal noted, “Those ghosts are very expensive. Ghosts that fatten the pockets of politicians with no shame.”
He warned that patronage politics and political dynasties continue to entrench inequality, calling them “a very serious cancer” that weakens national life.
Cardinal David called on lawmakers to pass long-delayed reforms, including the anti-political dynasty law, the Budget Transparency Act, the Freedom of Information Act, party development reforms, and reviews of the party-list system and Local Government Code.
We do not want a government that kills. We do not believe that society can be fixed through shortcuts, especially through the use of an iron fist
Cardinal David
Addressing the president, Ferdinand Marcos Jr., the cardinal reminded him of his constitutional duty. “You swore to the 1987 Constitution,” he said, adding, alluding to mounting budget controversies, “Because you yourself said it in your State of the Nation Address—have some shame.”
He called on the president to show full political will in addressing corruption, urging him to continue the effort he began and to allow a fully transparent investigation that would hold wrongdoers accountable based on evidence.
Cardinal David also denounced the return of authoritarian impulses and condemned past extrajudicial killings linked to anti-drug operations.
“We do not want a government that kills,” he said. “We do not believe that society can be fixed through shortcuts, especially through the use of an iron fist.”
are starting to forget why we are angry. People have gone silent not because they do not care, but because they have lost the belief that change will ever come. And while our nation grows exhausted, our leaders remain silent
Catriona Gray
The cardinal called on Filipinos to reclaim democratic values and continue the unfinished work of nation-building.
“We dream of a country that is prosperous, peaceful, and fair to all,” he said, “a country united in heart and spirit for the common good.”
Speaking at the rally, former Miss Universe Catriona Gray, was reported by RVA News warning that “every time we stay quiet, corruption wins” as she urged for cases to be filed over missing public funds.
She said that Filipinos are “tired of watching corruption steal food from our tables, steal medicines from our hospitals, classrooms from our children, and safety from our communities.”
Gray added that what scares her most is that many “are starting to forget why we are angry. People have gone silent not because they do not care, but because they have lost the belief that change will ever come. And while our nation grows exhausted, our leaders remain silent.”
She asked how many more floods, scandals and stolen funds it would take “before we finally say, enough!”
Some 92,00 people took part in at least 119 peaceful demonstrations across the country, in locations including, Antipolo, Cebu, Metro Manila, Legazpi City, and other locations.
