MANILA, Philippines β The Philippine Council of Evangelical Churches (PCEC), the countryβs largest network of evangelical denominations, publicly endorsed the βTrillion Peso Assembly Against Corruptionβ on November 30, calling for deeper investigations into alleged large-scale corruption and urging President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to prioritize long-pending reforms.
In a statement signed by National Director Bishop Noel A. Pantoja, PCEC said it was reaffirming its commitment to βtruth, justice, and accountability,β and pressed the government to conduct βthorough, impartial, non-partisan and uncompromising investigationsβ into corruption allegations.
PCEC also asked Marcos to certify as urgent key governance reforms:
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Empowered People Independent Commission
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Freedom of Information (FOI) Bill
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Anti-Dynasty Bill
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Blockchain Bill
The group framed its appeal in the spirit of 1 Peter 2:13β13, emphasizing punishment for wrongdoing, and commendation for those who βdo good and do right.β
How big and influential is PCEC?
PCEC is an umbrella network representing over 30,000 evangelical churches nationwide, covering more than 70 denominations and faith-based organizationsβfrom large national fellowships to small independent congregations spread across Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao.
In the landscape of Philippine Christianityβwhich is largely CatholicβPCEC stands as the countryβs most organized and politically engaged evangelical bloc. It is not as vote-mobilizing as the Catholic Bishopsβ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) or the Iglesia ni Cristo.
PCEC, however, has historically been influential in policy advocacy. These policy advocacy includes issues such as human rights, disaster response, corruption and governance, peacebuilding, social justice, and environmental stewardship.
Compared to conservative evangelical groups that avoid political engagement, PCEC has consistently positioned itself as a socially conscious evangelical body. It continually voiced its stand on issues such as extrajudicial killings, martial law in Mindanao, climate action, Charter change, and the Duterte-era war on drugs.
Their positions typically emphasize moral responsibility, transparency, and people-centered governanceβplacing them closer to the βsocial justice evangelicalβ movement emerging in Southeast Asia.
Call for anti-corruption vigilance
In the statement, PCEC also prayed for the Armed Forces of the Philippines, the Philippine National Police, and other uniformed personnel, urging them to faithfully uphold their constitutional mandate as βprotectors of the people and guarantors of peace and order.β
The evangelical body encouraged its member churches to persist in prayer and fasting, adding that Christians must embody βChristlike love, integrity, and courage amid confusion, deception, and corruption.β
βMay truth, accountability, and faith in the Almighty God guide our nation forward always,β Pantoja said.
The PCECβs endorsement adds a significant moral voice to the anti-corruption assemblyβone that represents a broad and growing sector of Filipino Christianity known for community work, humanitarian response, and civic mobilization.
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