Since Sept. 21, the sisters of a religious congregation in Quezon City assemble outside their convent every Friday, turning their small corner of the metro into a weekly call for accountability.
Two months ago, as the Philippines marked the anniversary of the declaration of martial law with a massive protest against corruption, the Religious of the Good Shepherd (RGS), went out to the streets, as well.
A few days later, more religious congregations converged at their convent on Aurora Boulevard for the ‘Misa ng Bayan para sa Kapayapaan, Katarungan, at Hustisya sa mga Katiwalian at Malawakang Korupsyon.’
But what started as a simple gathering has become a steadfast call, with the community becoming an unyielding witness to the battle against corruption, refusing to let the demand for liability fade into silence.
Since then, the sisters have assembled every Friday with banners in hand and a strong resolve etched on their faces, renewing a vigil that started a few decades ago, when some of them were on EDSA to call for the ouster of a dictator.
For them, who once marched-and prayed-for the restoration of democracy, the fight against corruption did not end with the People Power revolution, as it is a constant and steadfast battle against those who rob the nation.
‘[We,] religious sisters, like any other Filipino, have a right to demand accountability and transparency from our government officials, as well as the responsibility to safeguard our democracy,’ the sisters told INQUIRER.net.
Especially for them and their partners in mission, corruption is non-negotiable. ‘It is in our identity and mission, as clearly articulated in our constitution as a congregation,’ they said.
‘Our commitment to reconciliation demands that we promote justice and peace in a world disturbed by sin and conflict. We collaborate to help bring about change in whatever condemns others to live a marginalized life.’
As estimated by the Department of Finance, corruption in flood control projects alone-those that are either incomplete or nonexistent-had cost the economy some P118.5 billion from 2023 to 2025, or the first few years.
‘Corruption has robbed the state , especially our youth and children of the future they deserve. Religious communities journey with people in the margins, who of all people, bear the brunt of corruption,’ the sisters said.
‘It is important for us to stand with them in this fight,’ they pointed out.
Sr. Marcia Mercado, RGS, a 94-year-old sister who regularly joins the protest every Friday, said ‘it is my personal commitment to respond to what God and the Church ask us to do.’
As she explained to INQUIRER.net, they want us to ‘awaken the consciousness of the people of the corruption that is in our government system, and make sure that the problem will not be white washed and justice prevail.’
‘We need to make enough noise to disturb the conscience of the abusers,’ she said, stressing the reason behind their ‘prayer and protest’ every week, where they demand that the corrupt be held to account.
Like on Sept. 21 and in the succeeding protests led by the Conference of Major Superiors in the Philippines in Manila and Quezon City over the last two months, the RGS sisters will once again walk through the streets on Nov. 30.
A Mass at the San Agustin Church will precede the 8 a.m.Baha sa Luneta 2.0 protest, while the one on EDSA, the Trillion Peso March, will start at 10 a.m. at the People Power Monument.