In a striking display of faith and frustration, a vast assembly of Filipino Catholics, many of whom were barefoot, participated in a traditional procession honoring a centuries-old statue of Jesus Christ in Manila on Friday. This year, the event took on an unexpected tone as many attendees used the opportunity to voice their anger over a significant corruption scandal implicating powerful lawmakers.
The day began in the early hours with a midnight mass attended by tens of thousands at a seaside park in the city. Following the mass, the wooden statue of Jesus the Nazarene was placed on a specially designed four-wheeled carriage, setting the stage for a procession anticipated to attract millions of devotees throughout the day and into the night, according to Manila's Mayor Isko Moreno.
Recognized as one of Asia's largest religious events, the procession features the life-sized statue navigating through nearly six kilometers (about 3.7 miles) of Manila's narrow, crowded streets, close to the heavily secured presidential palace. The event poses considerable security challenges for local authorities.
To maintain order during the procession, approximately 15,000 police officers were deployed, supported by intelligence operatives. The authorities enforced strict regulations, including bans on firearms and alcohol, restrictions on drones and backpacks, and even jamming cellphone signals along the procession route.
Medical assistance was readily available, with first-aid tents staffed by government personnel and Red Cross volunteers set up along the way. By midday, over 250 participants had received treatment for minor injuries such as bruises and sprains. Tragically, just before the procession commenced, a Filipino photographer collapsed nearby, struggling to breathe, and sadly passed away while being transported to the hospital, as confirmed by officials and eyewitnesses from the Associated Press who offered their help.
As the morning progressed, hundreds of thousands of devotees, many clad in maroon shirts adorned with images of the Nazarene, eagerly pushed forward to get closer to the statue's carriage. Some attempted to climb onto the carriage or tossed small towels to volunteers on board, hoping to wipe parts of the cross and statue, believing that this act would bestow healing and blessings for better health, employment, and overall improvement in their lives.
This year's procession coincided with rising public indignation regarding a prominent corruption scandal that surfaced last year. This scandal allegedly involves numerous members of both the House of Representatives and the Senate, who are accused of receiving substantial kickbacks from construction companies linked to flawed flood control projects across the country—an archipelago frequently afflicted by severe flash floods.
Several engineers and executives from construction firms have already been detained as they face legal proceedings for corruption. Filipinos are growing increasingly impatient over the slow progress in implementing President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.'s promise to incarcerate legislators accused of misconduct by Christmas. During the march, many participants chanted, "jail them now, jail them now," expressing their desire for swift accountability.
The corruption allegations reportedly date back to former President Rodrigo Duterte's administration and could potentially involve a large number of officials living extravagant lifestyles, complete with luxury cars, private jets, and opulent homes, leading to widespread protests, some of which have been supported by the influential Roman Catholic Church.
During the mass at Rizal Park's grandstand prior to the procession, Bishop Rufino Sescon took aim at officials implicated in the scandal, noting the public outcry against those who refuse to resign despite evidence presented during congressional hearings broadcasted on television.
"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, even though the poor are suffering, even though the country is being flooded and destroyed," Sescon remarked passionately. "Enough is enough. Have mercy on the people. Have some shame. Step down voluntarily in the name of mercy and love;"
Echoing this sentiment, Venus Lopez, a 62-year-old devotee carrying a replica of the Nazarene statue, voiced her hopes for a purge of corrupt officials from power. "I hope those corrupt government officials will go away. They don’t deserve to be seated in power," she told the Associated Press, adding that she intended to pray for the Nazarene's assistance in removing such figures from government.
The life-sized statue, adorned with a crown of thorns and bearing a cross, is believed to have been brought to Manila from Mexico in 1606 aboard a galleon ship operated by Spanish missionaries. Remarkably, the ship caught fire, yet the scorched statue endured. Many view its survival through centuries of calamities, including fires, earthquakes, and intense bombings during World War II, as a sign of divine power.
This event highlights a distinctive manifestation of Catholicism in the Philippines, which intertwines folk beliefs and superstitions with traditional practices. For instance, countless Filipinos take part in a ritual on Good Friday, where they literally nail themselves to crosses, emulating Christ’s suffering, attracting large crowds annually.
