Interfaith rally seen to draw 50,000 shouting for 'change'

MANILA, Philippines - On the eve of their highly touted interfaith rally on Friday, religious, political and militant groups made last-minute reminders as they finalized preparations for the event. In separate statements released Thursday night, the groups made clear their call for truth and accountability from the Arroyo administration, especially in the wake of the $329.48-million ZTE broadband network deal mess. Meanwhile, opposition leader and Makati Mayor Jejomar C. Binay said around 50,000 will participate in the interfaith rally. Green symbolizing "hope" will be the color of the day for opposition groups who will join militant and religious organizations gather in Makati City for the rally. "Magsuot tayo ng berde bukas. Green is the color of hope and naniniwala kaming may pag-asa ang bayan (We should wear green tomorrow. Green is the color of hope and we believe there is hope for the nation)," United Opposition spokesman Adel Tamano said in an interview on dzBB radio Thursday evening. Former President Joseph Estrada is expected to attend the rally. Students from Catholic schools will join the inter-faith rally, with the Manila Archdiocesan and Parochial Schools Association (MAPSA) pledging active support. MAPSA president Msgr. Gerardo Santos said his group belongs to the "Watch and Pray Movement" composed of Catholic Educational Association of the Philippines–NCR, parochial schools and catechists, Association of Major Religious Superiors in the Philippines, Simbahang Lingkod ng Bayan and the Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting. "We opted to join them not because we favor GMA's resignation but because we want to be in solidarity with the citizenry who value Truth that's why our slogan is 'Truth, Accountability and Integrity' which we want to highlight," he said. "We should be together in this pilgrimage for truth and rid the country of corruption which has severely affected the citizens," he added. He said college students have been invited to the inter-faith rally on "voluntary basis." "We also invited school teachers and personnel and I want them to be there conscious of their role in society," he added. Their assembly would begin at Don Bosco Makati where an orientation will be held "because we want to be clear on our stand and establish a common ground." Other Christian denominations voiced solidarity with the inter-faith rally, in separate statements posted on the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines Web site (www.cbcpnews.com) Thursday night. Bishop Solito Toquero of the United Methodist Church, Manila Episcopal Area said graft and corruption have cost the Arroyo administration its credibility to govern. "The loss of respect for authority in almost all sectors of our society in politics, business or religion is very much prevalent these days not only in the Philippines but also in many other nations," Toquero said in a statement. "What has happened to our leaders and to the "only Christian country in Asia? Why can we not eliminate graft and corruption in government? Whatever regime is in power, the octopus of graft and corruption, strangling and gripping tightly our people, agencies and institutions continue to choke us; our leaders seem powerless to extricate us from this stranglehold. Are we not a Christian country? Is this not an oxymoron, a corrupt 'Christian' country, allegedly the most corrupt in Asia?" he asked. For his part, Iglesia Filipina Independiente bishop Godofredo David said the present crisis caused by greed for wealth and power should be stopped. He said the Filipino people deserve a president and a government that would genuinely promote their welfare and well-being and uphold their interests as citizens of the country." David also urged his church members in particular and people in general that all should need to make efforts to search for the truth and fight falsehood and deception. "Let us find inspiration in the courage of those who speak the truth and with them continue to thread the path towards the establishment of just society under a government that genuinely serves the interest of the Filipino people, he said. The United Church of Christ in the Philippines (UCCP) also welcomed the CBCP's stand against corruption. "We call on the Filipino people to have the courage to be set free from the sins injustice, oppression, suppression and violence. Let us claim our right for the truth. Let us support and join in collective action for truth to come out and let justice roll down wherever it may," UCCP general secretary bishop Eliezer Pascua said. UCCP also questioned Arroyo's integrity as her administration has failed to curb corruption in the country. A pastor of the National Methodist Churches in the Philippines said that the evil of corruption has to be exorcised and ended. Militants, on the other hand, will push for the ouster of Arroyo during the event. Umbrella group Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan) said it and its affiliate organizations will assemble at 2 p.m. at Rustan's along Ayala Avenue where it will hold a short program. They will then march towards the Ninoy Aquino Monument to join the other groups and forces for the 5 p.m. interfaith prayer assembly. Bayan prepared a 20-foot long effigy depicting Arroyo as a "devil snake" holding a gun and bundles of money to symbolize how the regime has been using state power and public resources to conceal the truth and suppress the people. Bayan chairwoman Carol Araullo said the movement calling for Arroyo's resignation or ouster keeps growing, expanding, and strengthening as the political crisis drags on. "Even the latest pastoral letter issued by the CBCP cannot provide respite to Arroyo because the crisis has now become very intense. The only acceptable resolution right now is to change the regime and institute meaningful reforms to address corruption and the other evils of the current government," she said. "Arroyo has been able to maneuver and escape prosecution in the past through her blatant use of state power and public resources to buy political support, silence witnesses, and undermine government processes and institutions that could check her abuses. But there comes a point when people will say enough is enough. Now is that time," she added. - GMANews.TV