Daet and Legazpi dioceses join White Ribbon Movement March on June 28

By Natalie Hazel Quimlat

“This is a call and prayer for accountability, truth, justice, and responsibility in our country.”

With these words, Bishop Herman Abcede of Daet urged the clergy, religious and lay faithful to participate in the White Ribbon Movement March on June 28, Sunday. Abcede issued the circular regarding the March yesterday, Feast of St. John the Baptist.

“In solidarity and support for the White Ribbon Movement March, I encourage everyone to wear white when attending Mass,” the Bishop said. A white ribbon may be worn, pinned or displayed in public places on Sunday “as a visible sign of our shared desire for integrity, transparency and good governance”.

Bishop Joel Baylon of Legazpi also issued a pastoral appeal for truth, justice and national renewal on the same day, encouraging the faithful to participate in the Sunday mass and to wear white or a white ribbon.

"This is a visible sign that genuine renewal begins with each one of us," Baylon said.

The Bishop also reminded the faithful that these advocacies must become a way of life. "As followers of Christ, let us continue to seek the truth, reject misinformation, resist every form of corruption, and exercise prudent discernment in all that we hear, share and do."

These efforts are in unity with the pastor message issued by the President of the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP), Archbishop Gilbert Garcera of Lipa.

Last June 22, Garcera encouraged the faithful not to lose hope and to join the march “prayerfully and respectfully”. He also urged them to participate in the Sunday mass. “The Eucharist renews hearts and transforms lives, enabling us to become instruments of justice, reconciliation and hope,” he said.

He also sought the intercession of Our Lady of Guadalupe, whose pilgrim image is currently visiting the country. “May she intercede for our people, guide our leaders and lead us closer to her Son, Jesus Christ.”

The White Ribbon Movement, according to a statement the group published on social media, is “a peaceful, constitutional, non-partisan, God-centered and people-empowered movement, seeking to awaken moral courage, responsible citizenship, and collective action for the moral and spiritual renewal of our nation”.

Represented by a white ribbon to stand for conscience, purity, peace, integrity, and moral courage, the Movement is composed of the convenors of the Inter-Religious Leaders Council for National Transformation (IRLCNT), faith-based communities, civic organizations, professionals, youth leaders, and advocates.

Last June 19, a press conference was organized by the Movement to discuss their advocacies on anti-corruption, anti-political dynasty and electoral reform. The gathering also served as an invitation to the June 28 March, to be held at the EDSA People Power Monument.

Parish Priest of St. Anthony of Padua Parish and Shrine in Iriga City, Fr. Wilmer Joseph Tria, is part of the White Ribbon Movement. Tria served as host of the recently held press conference in Greenhills, San Juan City. (Photo credit: Trillion Peso March Movement/Facebook)