IN response to the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines' call for "communal action," thousands of youth and other sectoral groups gathered yesterday at the Liwasang Bonifacio in Manila calling for truth, justice and change in what they called a corruption-besieged government.

Novaliches Bishop Emeritus Teodoro Bacani said the public's call on President Arroyo is as clear as the sky: Let the truth out.

"Gloria, magpakatotoo ka o umalis ka na!" Bacani told the youth-led rally which organizers said numbered 8,000 to 10,000. Police had it at 3,000, almost the same number of policemen deployed.

Bacani said the only antidote to corruption in the government is by letting the truth come out.

"Ano ang panlaban sa katiwalian? Katotohanan! Kapag may liwanag ng katotohanan, hindi na magagawa ang katiwalian," he said from a makeshift stage.

Bacani said he was inclined to believe Arroyo when she declared earlier she is one with the people in denouncing corruption.

"Noong sabi ni GMA, 'Galit ang tao sa katiwalian. Galit din daw siya sa katiwalian.' Maniniwala na sana ako sa kanya kung ang sinunod niya ay 'Neri, magsalita ka na.' Pero ang sinunod niya ay 'Neri, executive privilege,'" Bacani said.

Romulo Neri, acting chairman of the Commission on Higher Education, has told the Senate he was offered a bribe for required NEDA approval of the national broadband network project, and that when he informed the President about the bribe offer, he was told to reject the bribe but approve the project anyway.

He was then chief of the National Economic Development Authority. He refused to appear at later Senate hearings, invoking "executive privilege."

The event, according to students, is their closing salvo for the school year. But they vowed to continue their fight in their provinces when they go home for the summer break.

Lingayen-Dagupan Archbishop Oscar Cruz, in an interview, reiterated his hope Arroyo would heed the public clamor for her to step down.

"There is no one that would benefit if she continues to stay. Not for her and definitely not for everybody. It's very hard to govern if the public no longer trusts you," he said.

The program started with a series of prayers led by representatives of different religious organizations like Bishop Leo Alcongga (Philippines for Jesus Movement), Bishop Gabriel Garol (United Church of Christ in the Philippines), Aleem Abdeljabaar (Union of Muslims for Morality and Truth), and deacon Grace Masegman (Iglesia Filipina Independiente).

Among student groups represented in the rally were from UP, University of Makati, De La Salle University, St. Scholastica's College, Adamson University, Ateneo de Manila University, Philippine School for Business Administration, National College for Business Administration, Central Colleges of the Philippines, Technological Institute of the Philippines, University of Asia and the Pacific, Jose Rizal University, Lyceum of the Philippines University, Polytechnic University of the Philippines and Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila.

Militant and civil society groups also participated in the rally. They included Kairos Philippines, Edsa 3 Coalition, Bayan Muna, Promotion of Church People's Response, Gabriela, Alliance of Concerned Teachers, Alyansa ng Maralita sa Metro Manila, AnakPawis, Youth Revolt, Youth Act Now, Kilusang Mayo Uno, Migrante, League of Filipino Students, National Union of Students in the Philippines, Kabataan PartyList, Concerned Citizens Movement, Citizens Battle Against Corruption, Rural Missionaries in the Philippines, People's Movement Against Poverty. Kristiyanong Kabataan para sa Bayan, Kapit Bisig Kilos ng Masa, Kilusan Para sa Makatarungang Lipunan at Gobyerno, Kadamay and Kubol Pang-Masa.

Other known personalities in the rally were Manila Mayor Alfredo Lim, former Vice President Teofisto Guingona, Bayan Muna Rep. Satur Ocampo, Gabriela Rep. Liza Maza, Bayan secretary general Renato Reyes, and Gina de Venecia, wife of Rep. de Venecia and step-mother of Senate witness Joey.

The first part of the program also featured the distribution of broken bread, release of white doves and green balloons.

In the second portion, youth leaders asked government to let the truth come out by allowing its officials to appear at the Senate which is investigating the alleged overpriced broadband deal.

The program also featured concerts from school-based bands and cultural performances by students.

At the Welcome rotunda in Quezon City, some 200 Arroyo supporters under the "Kongreso ng Mamamayan" held prayer vigils and offered Mass.

Before noon yesterday, some of their "reinforcements" held parallel assemblies at Morayta and Plaza Miranda before marching to the rotunda to form what they called a "peace chain."