Thousands of faithful gathered at San Sebastian Cathedral in Bacolod City on Saturday, October 11, for a grand rosary rally, calling for an end to systemic corruption and a complete overhaul of the country’s political system.
Led by Bishop Patricio Buzon of the Diocese of Bacolod, he criticized the state of the nation, describing the Philippines as a “land of tears” and lamenting that the calamities caused by human greed and corruption are far more devastating than natural disasters.
“The damage caused by corruption is far worse,” he said.
In his homily, the prelate condemned the diversion of public funds, saying, “The huge portion [of the budget] fills the pockets of those in power. This is just the tip of the iceberg.”
He further questioned the scope of corruption, asking, “What about other infrastructure projects?”
Buzon also called out political dynasties and patronage networks, saying, “The money that belongs to the people is stolen by a few. We vote for those who bribe us, and when they win, they take even more.”
Turning to the people, he said, “We all blame them [politicians], but in fact, we are to blame too. We sell our votes.”
“It’s not enough to change people around; we must change everything, and that change must start with us,” Buzon said.
Meanwhile, although still young, students from Bacolod City National High School also participated in the rally, using a creative performance to denounce corruption and express their frustration over the misuse of public funds and political patronage.
Wear white
The rally coincided with the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines’ (CBCP) nationwide call for prayer.
In a circular issued on Saturday, CBCP President Cardinal Pablo Virgilio David urged the faithful to take action by wearing white every Sunday in October and November and to display white ribbons in their homes, churches, and public spaces. These visible signs are intended as a public plea for the nation’s renewal amid corruption and recent calamities.
“Let our white garments be a symbol of the purity we seek for our land and our hearts. May this season of prayer and repentance lead us to hope, healing, and the restoration of our common life in truth and justice,” David said.*
Reymund Titong is a Filipino journalist steadily building his voice in the field of news reporting, driven by a commitment to tell meaningful and relevant stories.
He serves as a correspondent for Rappler, maintains a personal blog on Medium, and is the communications officer of Hope Builders Organization Negros Island.