Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) president Cardinal Pablo Virgilio David on Sunday firmly rejected escalating calls for mass resignations of top government officials and efforts to unseat President Bongbong Marcos, cautioning that such shortcuts would plunge the country into political “tragedy.”
Speaking before a large crowd at the EDSA People Power Monument, David acknowledged the public’s exhaustion and anger over alleged corruption surrounding government flood control projects. But he stressed that rage cannot substitute for a clear democratic path forward.
“Iginagalang naman po natin ang humantong na sa ganitong panawagan dahil pagod na pagod na sa tiwaling sistema,” he said, while questioning the viability of a “resign all” demand. “Pero ang tanong natin sa ating mga kasama, kung resign all agad, ano ang alternatibo? Ano ang kasunod?”
David also recalled President Marcos Jr.’s previous SONA, where the phrase “Mahiya naman kayo” caught public attention.
“Pero hindi niya sinabi kung sino ba talaga ang dapat mahiya. Nagbigay pa nga ng standing ovation pati ang mga walang kahihiyan,” he remarked.
The CBCP head warned that forced resignations could only happen if the military becomes politicized: “Sino bang hindi mapaparesign… kapag tinutok ng armadong pwersa ng bansa ang mga armas nila upang iluklok ang nais nilang iluklok? Mga kapatid, trahediya po ang idudulot ng ganyan.”
With uniformed personnel also in attendance, he emphasized the need for them to remain anchored to democratic principles. He rejected proposals for a transition council, revolutionary government, or civilian–military junta, arguing these would reduce the Philippines to a “banana republic.”
“Kahit pangakuan pa kaming mga obispo ng pwesto sa gobyerno dahil malinaw sa amin, hindi namin linya ang politika ang pangongobyerno. Hindi kami kailanman magpapatukso na maging mga taliban, ang amin ay moral ang spiritual leadership lamang,” he said.
David stressed that the rally’s purpose was to defend—not dismantle—democratic institutions.
“Ayaw natin sa madaliang solusyon. Hindi natin kailangang sunugin ang buong bahay dahil lang ibig nating hulihin at papanagutin ang mga ipis at daga ng ating lipunan,” he said, warning that dismantling the entire system would let wrongdoers escape accountability.
“Hindi perpekto ang ating demokratikong sistema, pero mas mabuti na ito kesa sa wala,” he added, urging the public to continue the “work in progress” of peaceful democratic reform.