In a striking act of public lamentation, activist priest Father Robert Reyes led a penitential service at the historic Malate Church in Manila on Friday, August 22, to pray for the moral conversion of the Philippine Senate and Supreme Court.
The symbolic gathering comes in the wake of the blocked impeachment proceedings against Vice President Sara Duterte.
Around two dozen participants, including Reyes, donned sackcloth, a biblical symbol of repentance, while ashes were solemnly placed on their heads.
The act served as a collective expression of grief and outrage over what organizers described as “institutional complicity and moral failure” in the face of mounting calls for accountability.
“This is not just about one official,” Reyes declared. “This is about the erosion of truth, justice, and democratic integrity. We kneel not in defeat, but in defiance.”
The service drew support from faith-based advocates, civil society groups, and concerned citizens who view the recent political developments as part of a broader pattern of impunity and elite protectionism.
Organizers say the event is part of a growing wave of moral resistance, urging institutions to uphold their constitutional duty and protect the public interest. (ZIA LUNA)
