Iloilo groups join White Ribbon justice call

By Juliane Judilla

Members of the Catholic Church and various cause-oriented groups joined the White Ribbon Movement on Sunday, June 28, calling for truth, justice, and government accountability through separate but parallel activities in Iloilo City.

Instead of a traditional White Ribbon March, progressive organizations staged a protest and distributed informational flyers to the public in support of the nationwide campaign.

In a circular issued ahead of the activity, Archbishop Midyphil Billones of the Archdiocese of Jaro encouraged parishioners and members of church organizations to wear white clothing and white ribbons as a symbol of solidarity with the nationwide call for truth, justice, and government accountability.

Meanwhile, organizations under the broad Ilonggo anti-corruption alliance Kahublagan Kontra Kurapsyon, or KKK, handed out flyers calling for the impeachment of Vice President Sara Duterte.

The flyers cited the articles of impeachment filed against Duterte, which include allegations of betrayal of public trust, conspiracy to commit murder, and the alleged misuse of confidential funds allocated to the Office of the Vice President and the Department of Education.

Other allegations include corruption, bribery, and the accumulation of unexplained wealth.

The House of Representatives approved the articles of impeachment, with lawmakers arguing that the alleged acts constituted violations of the 1987 Constitution and betrayal of public trust.

The impeachment case now awaits trial before the Senate, which will determine whether Duterte will be convicted or acquitted.

Duterte has denied wrongdoing in connection with the allegations against her.

The groups said the June 28 White Ribbon protest forms part of a series of activities leading up to the People’s State of the Nation Address, or People’s SONA.

The People’s SONA will coincide with the upcoming State of the Nation Address of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on July 27.

The annual SONA is delivered before a joint session of Congress and traditionally outlines the president’s legislative agenda and priority programs.

Editor’s note: I retained the story’s intent and structure while tightening phrasing, correcting capitalization, and adding attribution around allegations. Current background reports show the House voted to impeach Duterte in May 2026, the Senate trial was expected to begin July 6, and Marcos’ fifth SONA is scheduled for July 27, 2026.