Daven Tamayo

Faith coalition holds 'Jericho Walk' before VP Duterte impeachment trial

Article (news)

Eon Sanchez

ABS-CBN News

MANILA – Members of various faith-based groups held a prayer pilgrimage around the Senate on Saturday morning, calling for truth, justice, and good governance through peaceful and nonviolent action ahead of the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte.Dubbed the &quot;Pilgrimage of Conscience: A Jericho Walk for Truth and Justice,&quot; the activity gathered participants from different Christian denominations, civic organizations, and members of the public.The prayer walk came two days before the Senate is set to convene as an impeachment court for the start of Duterte’s impeachment trial on Monday, July 6.<div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/7/4/-all-systems-go-for-vp-duterte-impeachment-trial-on-july-6-house-prosecutor-says-0917">READ: &#x27;All systems go&#x27; for VP Duterte impeachment trial on July 6, House prosecutor says</a></div>The activity was organized by the Kingdom Keepers, an ecumenical coalition composed of Catholic, Evangelical, and mainline Protestant churches and individuals, together with the Clergy for Good Governance.Kingdom Keepers convenor Dr. Melba Maggay said the prayer walk was inspired by the biblical story of Jericho.&quot;Ito pong Jericho [Walk] is throwback doon sa panahon na ang Diyos ay nagbigay ng instruction doon sa mga Israelita—sina Joshua—na paligiran nila yung City of Jericho. Akala nila, masyadong mahirap mabuwag dahil very thick yung walls,&quot; she said.&quot;So binigyan sila ng ritual na instruction na paligiran nila yung Jericho with a walk. So they walk seven times. And the walls came tumbling down.&quot;Maggay said the story symbolizes hope that seemingly insurmountable challenges can be overcome through unity and faith.&quot;So ito ay gusto naming magunita natin, na kahit tayo ay mga maliliit na tao, tayo ay mukhang walang kapangyarihan, mukhang hopeless, ang ating mga institusyon, ang walls of injustice can come tumbling down kung ang bawat isa sa atin ay magtitipon-tipon,&quot; she said.According to the organizers, the pilgrimage sought to encourage citizens to uphold truth, justice, constitutional duty, and peace through conscience rather than violence.Participants also prayed for what organizers called the nation’s &quot;seven graces&quot;: truth, justice and the rule of law, courage, integrity, accountability, healing, and hope.During the program, Clergy for Good Governance convenor Rev. Fr. Robert Reyes appealed to senators from both the majority and minority blocs ahead of the upcoming trial.&quot;Nananawagan kami sa mga senador ng dalawang kampo—mayorya at minorya—’wag kayong padala sa sulsol at pressure ng tao. Ang Panginoong Diyos po ang pakinggan niyo,&quot; Reyes said.After the prayer walk, priests from the Clergy for Good Governance blessed the Senate grounds using holy water, salt, and incense.Explaining the symbolic blessing, Reyes said: &quot;Ang Senado, dumumi na e. Kailangan linisin ang Senado… Ang dumi ng bibig niyo. Ang dumi ng isip niyo. Ang dumi ng puso niyo. Ang kaluluwa niyo ay hindi na sa Diyos nakatuon.&quot;The priests said the blessing was intended to symbolically drive away what they described as &quot;bad spirits&quot; inside the Senate.The event was open to families, youth, senior citizens, churches, and civic organizations regardless of religious tradition or political affiliation.

Members of various faith-based groups held a prayer pilgrimage around the Senate on Saturday morning, calling for truth, justice, and good governance through peaceful and nonviolent action ahead of the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte.

Members of various faith-based groups held a prayer pilgrimage around the Senate on Saturday morning, calling for truth, justice, and good governance through peaceful and nonviolent action ahead of the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte.