Filipino Catholics express outrage over corruption scandal during massive religious procession

Millions Join Religious Procession in Manila, Many Express Outrage Over Corruption

Massive crowds of Filipino Catholics thronged Manila’s streets Friday for the annual procession of the centuries-old Black Nazarene statue, with many using the religious gathering to voice anger over a widespread corruption scandal involving prominent lawmakers.

The day began with a midnight Mass attended by tens of thousands at Manila’s seaside Rizal Park. Before dawn, the wooden statue of Jesus Christ carrying a cross was placed on a four-wheel carriage, marking the start of a procession that Manila Mayor Isko Moreno predicted would draw millions throughout the day and into the night.

The religious event, one of Asia’s largest, involves a winding six-kilometer route through Manila’s congested streets near the presidential palace. Devotees, many barefoot, jostled to get close to the carriage carrying the revered statue, believing that touching or wiping towels on the image would bring healing, employment, and better living conditions.

“This is more than faith for us—it’s a tradition passed through generations,” said one participant who had traveled from a province south of Manila. “Every year we come, regardless of the challenges.”

About 15,000 police officers were deployed to maintain order during the procession, which presents significant security challenges. Authorities implemented strict measures including gun and liquor bans, prohibited backpacks and drones, and jammed cellphone signals along the route. Medical tents staffed by government personnel and Red Cross volunteers treated more than 250 people for injuries by midday.

This year’s procession coincided with growing public outrage over a major corruption scandal that erupted last year involving dozens of legislators from both the House of Representatives and Senate. The officials allegedly received substantial kickbacks from construction companies for substandard or non-existent flood control projects throughout the flood-prone archipelago.

“Jail them now!” chanted large groups of devotees as they marched through Manila’s streets, their voices echoing frustration over delays in President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s promised prosecution of implicated officials.

The scandal, which reportedly began during former President Rodrigo Duterte’s administration, has sparked street protests as Filipinos express outrage over the contrast between politicians’ lavish lifestyles—including luxury cars, private jets, and mansions—and the hardships faced by ordinary citizens in a country frequently devastated by flooding.

Bishop Rufino Sescon addressed the corruption directly during his homily before the procession began. “In our country today, there are those who refuse to step down even though they made mistakes and got caught, even though they are causing hardship to the people,” Sescon told the massive crowd. “Enough is enough. Have mercy on the people. Have some shame.”

Venus Lopez, a 62-year-old devotee carrying a replica of the Nazarene statue, echoed this sentiment. “I hope those corrupt government officials will go away. They don’t deserve to be seated in power,” she told reporters, adding that she would pray to the Nazarene to help remove corrupt officials from government.

The Black Nazarene statue itself has a storied history dating back to 1606 when Spanish missionaries reportedly brought it from Mexico to Manila on a galleon. Despite the ship catching fire during its voyage, the charred statue survived—beginning centuries of veneration. Many devotees believe the statue’s endurance through numerous fires, earthquakes, and even the intense bombings of World War II attests to its mystical powers.

The procession represents the unique blend of Catholicism and folk traditions in the Philippines, Asia’s largest predominantly Catholic nation. This fusion of faith and cultural practices also manifests in other remarkable ways, including the Good Friday tradition where dozens of Filipinos have themselves nailed to crosses to emulate Christ’s suffering.

As night fell over Manila, thousands continued to follow the statue’s slow progress through the city streets, a testament to the enduring power of faith in a nation grappling with both spiritual devotion and demands for political accountability.