[OPINION] Why we weren’t at EDSA

A separate Luneta rally exists as a result of it makes use of a unique framework. Luneta rallyists not consider that justice can come from the Marcos administration.

Cardinal Pablo Virgilio David’s remarks at Luneta are each saddening and alarming. His rationalization for selecting the EDSA Shrine over Luneta was confused and failed to handle the core of the nationwide disaster. 

As a substitute of condemning the roots of the issue — billions in stolen public funds, ghost initiatives, and entrenched high-level corruption — the Cardinal selected to seek out fault with the individuals’s requires the Marcos-Duterte resignation, the broader “Resign All” demand, and the proposal for a Folks’s Transition Council (PTC). 

The arguments distort, and even demonize, these calls. The PTC is portrayed as a pathway to a navy coup or a civilian-military junta. The Resign All was lumped along with the Duterte faction’s try to interchange Marcos Jr. with Sara Duterte by means of navy backing. Because the Philippine Collegian identified, this conflation borders on the “malicious.” 

There’s a huge distinction between the proponents of Resign All and the Dutertes’ determined energy seize. The chants of “Marcos-Duterte, Walang Pinag-iba” at Luneta clearly don’t come from the DDS. 

The PTC will not be a recipe for dysfunction. It’s a democratic proposal designed to make sure clear, real, and credible election that may lastly dismantle political dynasties. If one speaks of democracy, that is exactly a step towards a extra inclusive and participatory political course of – not rule by a couple of, and positively not by dynasties. 

PTC in international locations wracked with corruption

The Cardinal could know that PTC-like transitions have already occurred in Nepal and Bangladesh, the place governments had been compelled to resign and dissolve amid large youth- and people-led mobilizations. Interim governments and councils are actually making ready for elections (March 2026 in Nepal and June 2026 in Bangladesh). 

How, then, may the PTC result in a coup d’état?

The PTC is the very mechanism designed to forestall such outcomes. It envisions a civilian transitional physique composed not of trapos or dynastic elites, however representatives from marginalized sectors and trusted reform-oriented people, similar to former chief justices and related figures. Its formation will not be an imposition; it is going to be chosen by means of democratic consultations and assemblies. 

Saying that corrupt officers will “by no means resign” misses the purpose. This isn’t a easy “enchantment” however a political motion meant to power out these in energy, pushed by broad mass mobilizations, particularly from the poorest and most oppressed sectors of Philippine society. 

The ‘lesser evil’ technique

The try and separate Marcos Jr. from accountability displays an opportunistic “lesser evil” technique, one which softens criticism of the present administration regardless of mounting proof instantly implicating the President and far of his equipment within the plunder of the nationwide treasury. 

The stark actuality is that, to this point, not a single prime official has been jailed. That is exactly why the youth and the poor are dropping religion within the system and calling for Resign All and for a PTC to supervise elections — whether or not early or in 2028 – beneath situations the place no political dynasty can subject candidates. Dynasties lie on the root of corruption and mass poverty. 

That is additionally why a separate Luneta rally exists. It isn’t against the Cardinal’s said name for accountability; it merely makes use of a unique framework. Luneta rallyists courageously named each implicated official and demanded prosecution. They not consider that justice can come from the Marcos Jr. administration, because the previous months have already confirmed. 

Marcos Jr. and his allies are clearly implicated. Overlaying up or downplaying their accountability will not be an answer. It’s a political protect designed to protect a slender reform agenda that selectively targets just a few dynasties whereas defending these thought of “lesser evil.” 

By insisting on “hermetic proof” earlier than calling out President Marcos Jr., the Church management dangers appearing like a courtroom that requires hermetic litigation. However beneath this method, neither Vice President Sara Duterte nor different highly effective officers may even be impeached or tried in court docket. Accountability should not be imprisoned inside authorized technicalities.

Function of a liberated Church

The Church has a profound ethical, theological, social, and institutional obligation to advance each the religious and materials welfare of the plenty. This implies confronting poverty, oppression, corruption, state violence, political dynasties, and the structural inequality embedded in society. 

Within the Philippines at present, this requires holding everybody in energy accountable – particularly these with extra entry to legal guidelines and safety, and standing firmly for systemic transformation. It means rejecting the “lesser evil” framework and the protection of the established order. The individuals should not be frightened into abandoning the decision for real change. The true hazard is preserving a rotten system by limiting accountability to a couple expendable figures. 

Like Cardinal David, we too are exhausted — exhausted by a damaged system, excessive poverty, and injustices perpetuated by these in energy. 

We respect the Church in all its denominations. However we can not settle for it when Church management selectively shields one faction of the ruling elite within the framework of “lesser evil.” 

Resign All. Construct the Folks’s Transition Council. Finish political dynasties. – Rappler.com

Sonny Melencio is the chairperson of Partido Lakas ng Masa (PLM), a nationwide political celebration that joined the Baha sa Luneta Rally 2.0 on November 30. Sonny is open to a personal dialogue with Cardinal Ambo as he mentioned throughout an interview on criticisms in opposition to his speech.