ILOILO City – Turning quiet defiance into a moral statement, altar servers and parishioners of the Jaro Metropolitan Cathedral staged a silent protest against government corruption on Saturday, transforming the historic church into a venue for civic awakening.
Organized by Kahublagan Kontra Korapsyon (KKK) in collaboration with various cause-oriented groups, the demonstration carried the theme “Padabdabon ang Kaisog ni Bonifacio: Martsa kag Manindugan Kontra sa Kagarukan.”
The protest sought to sustain public pressure for accountability amid ongoing investigations into the alleged anomalies in multibillion-peso flood control projects.
The peaceful gathering featured candle lighting as a symbol of hope and justice amid corruption scandals that continue to erode public trust.
“We must remain vigilant,” said Monsignor Meliton Oso, director of the Jaro Archdiocesan Social Action Center (JASAC), who urged participants to “keep the flame of awareness burning” after the September Trillion Peso March that rallied thousands of Filipinos against corruption and misuse of public funds.
During his homily, Oso dissected what he called the “three faces of corruption” — Good Samaritan-Theft, Holy Charity-Theft, and Philanthro-Theft — warning that even charitable acts can be tainted when used for personal or political gain.
The protest also carried a strong visual message. On Sunday, church servers attended Mass wearing shirts emblazoned with the words “Proud to be Filipino, ashamed of my government.”
The shirts, distributed by JASAC, have become symbolic of growing public frustration over alleged irregularities and misuse of confidential funds.
The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) likewise joined the call for moral reform, encouraging parishioners nationwide to wear white every Sunday from October to November as a sign of their commitment to good governance.
CBCP president Cardinal Pablo Virgilio David said the gesture aims to “inspire communities to display white ribbons as symbols of hope and prayer for a renewed nation.”/PN
