Cebu Archbishop Alberto Uy delivered a blunt message Sunday, telling Filipinos to wake up to the reality that “we are being robbed,” as thousands gathered at the historic Fuente Osmeña circle to protest alleged entrenched corruption in government.

In his homily, Uy asked churchgoers to confront the issue head-on. “Ask your seatmate, ‘Are you being robbed?’” he said, warning that corruption drains public resources and destroys moral foundations. He urged the faithful not to tolerate “darkness, divisiveness, gossip, pride, corruption and inaction.”

Participants responded with chants of “Stop flooding us with corruption!” It was a pointed reference to the centerpiece of the ongoing controversy: alleged irregularities and overpriced flood-control projects amounting to hundreds of billions of pesos.

The event was organized by the Archdiocese of Cebu and Sugbuanong Pakigbisog Kontra Korapsyon, an interfaith coalition pushing for transparency, accountability, and good governance.

Militant groups such as Bayan and Sanlakas also held separate marches along Colon Street, pressing for President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Vice President Sara Duterte to resign and calling for a People’s Transition Council.

In Quezon City, Cardinal Pablo Virgilio David joined thousands at the People Power Monument for the “Trillion Peso March,” warning that corruption threatens democracy and must be confronted through reforms and public vigilance.

“It is a work in progress. That is why we are here — to complete the EDSA revolution,” he said. “Change does not happen overnight.”

David, outgoing president of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines, called political dynasties “one of the most malignant forms of cancer” in the country.

“Democracy cannot function fully until these tumors… are removed,” he said, urging lawmakers to pass long-delayed legislation to curb dynastic rule.

He likened the needed reforms to undergoing “chemotherapy” to prevent the cancer from spreading.

David also addressed President Marcos directly, criticizing what he described as mismanaged national budgets and demanding accountability without exception.

“Do your work,” David declared, prompting cheers. “Show us you will pursue corrupt officials impartially, wherever the trail of evidence may lead.”

He said Filipinos should not allow the nation’s democratic gains to be eroded, stressing that the Church rejects violent upheaval.

“We do not need to burn down the whole house because we want to catch the cockroaches and rats,” he said. “How can we make the guilty pay when we are starting again from nothing?”

Parallel actions nationwide

Church-backed assemblies were held in multiple dioceses, some conducting prayer rallies ahead of Sunday’s protests.

Organizers framed the gatherings as part of a sustained, nonviolent movement against corruption that continues to roil the Marcos administration.