Filipino Catholics Express Frustration During Annual Nazarene Procession

Tens of thousands attended Manila's annual procession of the centuries-old Jesus the Nazarene statue, and many participants used the event to voice frustration over a corruption scandal that has implicated lawmakers.

Manila's annual procession of the centuries-old statue of Jesus the Nazarene drew a massive crowd on Friday. The day began with a midnight mass and the statue was paraded through the city's streets. Many devotees took part in the long-standing tradition that traces back to the statue's arrival from Mexico in the early 1600s. This year's procession also became a venue for public expression of frustration over a corruption scandal involving alleged ghost flood-control projects and implicated legislators. Key points: - The procession attracted hundreds of thousands of devotees who follow the centuries-old Nazarene tradition. - Large numbers of worshippers chanted "jail them now" and used the gathering to voice frustration about a corruption scandal tied to alleged kickbacks and substandard or non-existent flood-control works. - Several government engineers and construction company executives have been detained and are facing ongoing trials, and televised congressional hearings have identified officials implicated in the allegations. - Bishop Rufino Sescon criticized implicated officials in a homily before the procession and called on them to step down. Summary: The procession combined religious observance with visible public concern about alleged corruption, reflecting widespread civic unease. Investigations and trials are underway for some figures named in the scandal. Undetermined at this time.