The Mayor Sara Duterte Alliance (MASADA) on Saturday announced that they will join what they call a multi-sectoral "EDSA Jericho March" to commemorate the 1986 People Power Revolution and pray for divine intervention amid the political and economic challenges facing the country today.
Benito Ranque, MASADA’s lead governor, told the Daily Tribune that the EDSA Jericho March, spearheaded by Mamamayan Akap Demokrasya (MAD), will include MASADA and other civic and religious groups. He described the event as a symbolic reenactment of the historic 1986 EDSA gatherings.
“It will be a peaceful prayer march,” he said.
As of 7 February, there has been no response regarding the permit application for the event.
A Jericho March is a type of prayer walk conducted by a group or congregation, seeking divine intervention for various causes. In the United States, such marches have been held against abortion or gang activity in struggling communities.
Other Jericho Marches have been held to seek God’s protection over leaders, cities, and churches. Some congregations organize them to pray for revival, protection, or blessings, often circling church buildings to counter negative influences on the youth or for other specific intentions. The march is inspired by the biblical story of Joshua’s march around Jericho, following divine instructions.
Ranque clarified that this event aligns with Vice President Sara Duterte’s call for "No street rallies," allowing volunteers to continue their daily work despite the impeachment case filed by the House of Representatives in the Senate.
Ben Ranque said the MASADA network has been reactivated nationwide, but volunteers have been advised to focus on social media and continue their daily responsibilities amid the country's economic situation, especially at the grassroots level.
"The EDSA Jericho March will not be a street rally. Participants will not block traffic, and we have requested a permit from Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte," he said.
MASADA has regrouped for the second time to urge Vice President Sara Duterte to run for President in the 2028 elections. The group believes she could be the "Golda Meir of the Philippines" due to her Jewish ancestry, according to organizers.
The impeachment case against Vice President Sara Duterte has cemented the breakup of the so-called Marcos-Duterte alliance, which began during the 2016 presidential elections, a former MASADA governor declared on Thursday.
MASADA, originally known as the Mayor Sara Duterte Alliance, was renamed the Marcos-Sara Duterte Alliance after she agreed to become President Marcos’ running mate in the 2022 elections.
“We launched a nationwide campaign for the presidential candidacy of Davao City mayor Sara, but later on she decided to become the running mate of BBM and has set up at least 50 provincial and regional headquarters across the country to campaign for the Marcos-Duterte tandem in the Presidential and vice Presidential in the May elections."
MASADA's roots trace back to the 2016 presidential and vice-presidential elections, when an informal alliance between Duterte and Marcos supporters was formed to ensure victory in both races.
Dubbed "Alyansa ni Digong at Bongbong" (ALDUB), this coalition helped secure Duterte’s presidency but failed to deliver Bongbong Marcos’ vice-presidential win, as he ran as an independent candidate.