Members of Catholic, Protestant, and Evangelical groups gathered outside the Senate on Saturday for a "Jericho Walk for Truth and Justice," urging senator-judges to base their decisions on conscience rather than political pressure ahead of the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte on Monday, July 6.
In a report by RH Tina Nolasco, the prayer procession, organized by the Clergy for Good Governance (CGG) in partnership with the faith-based coalition Kingdom Keepers, was held along Diokno Boulevard in Pasay City.
Participants prayed for truth, justice, integrity, and accountability to prevail during the impeachment proceedings.
Organizers said the activity was intended to encourage senators to set aside personal interests, political loyalties, and outside influence in deciding the impeachment case against Duterte.
CGG Convenor Fr. Robert Reyes appealed to both the Senate majority and minority not to yield to pressure from political groups or individuals.
"Nananawagan kami sa mga senador ng dalawang kampo, ‘yung minorya at mayorya: huwag kayong magpadala sa sulsol at pressure ng tao, ang Panginoong Diyos ang pakinggan niyo," Reyes said.
He also expressed hope that more senators would follow what he described as the example of Senate President Francis "Chiz" Escudero and Sen. Joel Villanueva, who, he said, had changed their positions.
Reyes said such moves could have been influenced either by “political survival” or by conscience, but stressed that what matters most is that senators make their decisions based on truth and what is right.
“Political survival, nakikita nila itong mayorya ay naglalaban, ay totoo: Una ako sa totoo, una ako sa tama, pero hindi pa nangyayari ’yan sa maraming Pilipino, hati-hati tayo,” he said.
Reyes maintained that the Vice President should be held accountable for the allegations against her, saying the impeachment process should be allowed to proceed.
Meanwhile, Director of the Institute for Studies in Asian Church and Culture (ISAAC) Dr. Melba Padilla Maggay called on Filipinos to unite in opposing what she described as evil, greed, injustice, and impunity.
Maggay said the "Jericho Walk," inspired by the biblical story of Jericho, symbolizes the belief that ordinary citizens united in faith can bring down the modern-day "walls of injustice" through prayer and collective action.
"Kahit tayo ay maliliit na tao, tayo ay mukhang walang kapangyarihan, mukhang hopeless ang ating mga institutions. Ang walls of injustice can come coming down, kung ang bawat isa sa atin ay magtititipon-tipon," Maggay said.
"Kami po kahit mga Katoliko, Protestante, Evangelical magkakasama dahil sobra na, tama na ang kasamaan. So we felt na importante magsalita na ang simbahan . Kung mayroon man tao na dapat tumindig para sa katarungan, para sa katotohanan, 'yun po ay dapat ang mga taong simbahan," she noted.
Participants said the interfaith gathering demonstrated solidarity among believers from different religious traditions in support of transparency, accountability, and justice as the Senate prepares to convene as an impeachment court on July 6.
