The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) has called on the faithful to join a nationwide “Day of Prayer and Accountability Against Corruption” on Sunday, September 21, at 2 p.m. at the EDSA People Power Monument.

“As bishops, we call on everyone to join us in a peaceful gathering called the ‘Trillion Peso March’ (Day of Prayer and Accountability),” the CBCP said in its pastoral statement signed by CBCP president Cardinal Pablo Virgilio “Ambo” David, the bishop of Kalookan.

“This gathering is not a political spectacle, but a moral stand. It is a moment of prayer, solidarity, and action against the entrenched culture of corruption that robs our people of dignity, deepens poverty, and betrays our future.”

The bishops said those outside Metro Manila may also participate through prayer rallies to be organized by dioceses, parishes, Catholic schools, and civic groups across the country. 

“We encourage similar initiatives in all ecclesiastical jurisdictions across the country, as a sign of solidarity in this nationwide day of peaceful witness,” the CBCP stressed.

The CBCP outlined nine concrete steps for Christians and civic leaders to resist corruption, including vigilance, rejecting patronage politics, modeling honesty, and building communities of truth.

“Be vigilant and vocal — Do not allow cynicism to numb our outrage,” the statement read.

“Reject patronage politics — Refuse to sell your votes or trade them for favors. Demand integrity in leadership.”

“Demand justice, not impunity — Call for criminal charges against those who systematically plunder public funds.”

The bishops also urged parishes to lead by example. 

“Let our parishes and dioceses practice transparency and accountability,” they said, while appealing to leaders in government, business, and the Church “to embrace simplicity and solidarity with the poor.”

Meanwhile, the CBCP urged young Filipinos to use digital platforms responsibly.

“Young people, we entrust to you a special mission. As Jesus said: ‘Be innocent as doves, and clever as serpents’ (Mt 10:16). You have in your hands a power no generation ever had: the digital space. Use it wisely and courageously—to document truth, expose wrongdoing, and build communities of conscience,” the CBCP said.

The bishops’ conference also appealed to lawmakers, oversight bodies, and prosecutors to act decisively. 

“Our people deserve concrete solutions—not empty rhetoric, not endless political grandstanding, not the usual delaying tactics. Enough is enough! We will no longer accept that this investigation simply die a natural death, like so many before it that eventually ended in political accommodations and compromises,” it said.

The CBCP also challenged those who enriched themselves at the expense of the poor to heed the call of Jesus to Zacchaeus: “Come down from your arrogance and greed. Choose conversion, make restitution, and repair the damage you have caused. There can be no true peace without justice, and no justice without repentance.”

The bishops stressed that corruption should not be answered with apathy or violence, but with faith, courage, unity, and peaceful action.

“Let our gathering be a sign that the Filipino people, guided by faith, will no longer be passive,” the prelates said.

“Let us stand firm for truth, justice, and renewal. Together, let us be ‘innocent as doves, clever as serpents,’ and builders of a nation where justice and honesty prevail.”