‘All set for June 28 White Ribbon March’

MANILA, Philippines — Thousands are expected to join the rally dubbed the White Ribbon March at the People Power Monument tomorrow as religious and civil society groups continue to call for accountability amid corruption scandals in the country.

In an interview with dzBB, White Ribbon March convenor Bishop Efraim Tendero said the rally, organized by Catholic, Muslim, evangelical and Protestant leaders, aims to continue to call all Filipinos to unite against corruption.

“Our call is for the ombudsman, who really has the power to investigate, (to have) no discrimination and I hope the Senate and Congress will unite. If now there is an impeachment trial, the impeachment trial will continue but it must be fair, and the (Senate) Blue Ribbon investigation in aid of legislation will continue as well,” Tendero said.

Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) Interreligious Leaders’ Council for National Transformation lead convenor Bishop Colin Bagaforo has said that the rally will be a continuation of the Trillion Peso March.

Tendero said everybody is invited to attend the rally but politicians will not be allowed to deliver speeches.

He also said that Catholics, led by Bagaforo, will hold a mass at the EDSA Shrine at noon.

“The march will start between 1 to 1:30 p.m. The program will start at 2:30 on Sunday. We will march to the People Power Monument and the program will start at 2:30 p.m.,” Tendero said.

Jaro Archbishop Midyphil Billones endorsed the White Ribbon Movement following the call of the CBCP to various churches in the country to back the mobilization.

Billones asked churchgoers to actively participate in the initiative by wearing white during Sunday masses tomorrow and by displaying white ribbons in churches, chapels, Catholic schools and institutions throughout the archdiocese.

Activist group Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan) will also join the rally to amplify calls to end corruption and impunity in government.

Bayan secretary general Raymond Palatino said the march reflects the people’s clamor to hold accountable corrupt government officials and their cohorts such as those involved in the flood control scandal.

He said they are backing the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte, stressing the senators should convict her for betrayal of public trust.

Meanwhile, the Philippine National Police has vowed to ensure the safety of protesters.

National Capital Region Police Office spokesperson Maj. Hazel Asilo said all five police districts in Metro Manila went on full alert status yesterday starting at 5 p.m.

“There is no threat, this is proactive deployment,” Asilo told reporters. — Emmanuel Tupas