A senior Philippine Church leader invoked the legacy of the 1986 EDSA Uprising on Sunday as he defended the decision to gather protesters at the People Power Monument, saying the movement sought to uphold democratic principles and reject any path toward violent or unconstitutional change.
“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 Cardinal Pablo Virgilio David of Kalookan.
The prelate delivered the remarks during the program following Mass, addressing thousands who joined the expanded “Trillion Peso March” actions across the country.
The cardinal said Luneta was not chosen as the main venue since protesters there have “a call that we do not yet agree with.”
The prelate said the church-led anti-corruption rally in Quezon City respects other protest groups “who have already come to that call because they are tired of a corrupt system.”
“We are tired too. But if it is ‘resign all’ immediately, what is the alternative? What comes after?” he added.
He said organizers also avoided Mendiola 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 said.
Cardinal David said the protests firmly oppose any push for military intervention, a revolutionary government, a transitional council, or a junta.
He emphasized 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.
He 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.
From this stance, the cardinal 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.”
“Those ghosts are very expensive,” he said. “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.
He urged 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.
Addressing President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., the cardinal reminded him of his constitutional duty. “You swore to the 1987 Constitution,” he said.
Referring to mounting budget controversies, he added, “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.”
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.”
