Over 3,000 Capiznons Rally for Truth and Justice in Archdiocesan ‘Trillion-Peso Prayer Rally’

ROXAS CITY, Capiz — On Saturday, November 30, more than 3,000 Capiznon residents gathered at the Roxas City Bandstand for the “Trillion-Peso Prayer Rally,” a massive demonstration organized by the Archdiocese of Capiz. The event, held under the theme “FIGHTING FOR TRUTH, JUSTICE, AND GOOD PROSPERITY,” served as a collective call for “light, understanding, justice, and fighting corruption.”

The spiritual and civic event began with a Holy Rosary procession. This was followed by musical performances from the Colegio de la Purisima Concepcion (CPC) Main Chorale, Capiz Archdiocesan Secretariat for Youth Apostolate (CASYA), and Capiz State University (CapSU) Main Chorales, setting a solemn and unified tone for the rally. The program also included a candle lighting event, symbolizing the residents’ plea for the betterment of the city and the entire province.

The rally featured two prominent speakers. Rev. Fr. Jerome Secillano, Rector of the National Shrine of Mary, Queen of Peace and Executive Secretary of the Public Affairs Office of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP), served as the invited guest and speaker. In his message, Fr. Secillano urged the attendees, whom he referred to as “wanderers,” to “continuously be vigilant and pray for the betterment of the city and the future.”

The central message was delivered by Most Rev. Victor B. Bendico, D.D., Archbishop of Capiz, who presided over the Holy Mass. The Archbishop passionately called on everyone to “magbugtaw para sa kamatuoran, hustisya, kag maayo nga palaabuton” (wake up for truth, justice, and a good future). He delivered a stark warning in his homily, stating that “ang kagarukan nagauswag kun ang tagsa-tagsa nagakatulog” (corruption thrives when everyone is asleep).

Adding to the strong message, Msgr. Bless highlighted the destructive nature of corruption, stating that it is “robbing imoles, undermining public service, undermining institutions, and destroying trust in leadership and the hearts of the people.”

The Archbishop also noted the significance of the rally coinciding with the start of Advent, declaring that this season is a time to “pukaw gikan sa katulugon” (wake up from slumber). The rally concluded with a powerful statement: “Enough already, especially theft and corruption, confess the truth, and arrest the corrupt people.”