Philippine Catholic Church launches Katipunan formation program on good citizenship

The Philippine Catholic Church launched the Katipunan good citizenship formation program on March 3.

About 1,000 people from Catholic schools and parishes participated in the program launching at San Felipe Neri Catholic School (SFNCS) in Mandaluyong City.

The launching was led by Archbishop Socrates Villegas of Lingayen-Dagupan in Pangasinan who developed the Katipunan formation program last year along with Basic Ecclesial Communities (BECs) under his jurisdiction. 

BECs are small groups of Catholics, usually families in a neighborhood, that gather for Holy Mass and group reflection.

Participants in the launch included Cardinal Jose Advincula, Metropolitan Archbishop of Manila; EDSA Shrine Rector Father Jerome Secillano, CBCP Episcopal Commission on Public Affairs Executive Secretary, and Father Jose Marion Mark Munda III, director of SNFCS.

Bishop Soc said the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines approved the Katipunan formation program, which will be adopted in Catholic schools and parishes nationwide.

During the launching of the Katipunan Formation Program on March 3, 2026, Archbishop Socrates Villegas said, "Bawal ang Katolikong duwag." Photo by Veronica Pulumbarit

HEROES NEEDED

During his talk about the formation program, Bishop Soc said they chose the name Katipunan because the root word is "tipon," meaning a gathering of people who share the same views.

He also mentioned the heroes of the Katipunan or the Kataas-taasang, Kagalang-galangang Katipunan ng mgá Anak ng Bayan (KKK), the anti-Spanish group established by Filipino patriot Andres Bonifacio in 1892 during the Spanish regime in the Philippines.

Bishop Soc said the heroes of the Katipunan fought against corruption during the Spanish regime and today, more heroes are needed to fight corruption.

He said good governance is a fruit of good citizenship, adding that the Philippines has certain bad  political leaders because the people who elected them did not practice good citizenship.

Bishop Soc said we do not always have to respond to issues with grand gestures, such as political rallies in the streets, because big changes can start through small ones.

He said change in society can begin with individuals changing themselves through daily Mass, daily praying of the rosary, and frequent confession.

He also pointed out that while Catholics are called to proclaim the Gospel, we do not always have to shout it; at times, we only need to whisper the Gospel to somebody we love.

The launching of the Katipunan Formation Program was held in San Felipe Neri Catholic School in Mandaluyong City on March 3, 2026. Photo by Veronica Pulumbarit

5 Ks: KORAPSYON, KAHIRAPAN, KRIMINALIDAD, KASINUNGALINGAN, KATAKSILAN

In an interview with Paraluman News, Bishop Soc said corruption is one of the five Ks that the Katipunan formation program seeks to address: korapsyon, kahirapan, kriminalidad, kasinungalingan, and kataksilan.

He said, "The fire of the formation program is spreading, and hopefully it touches more hearts, and forms more minds."When asked if the Katipunan formation program is meant to be an election guide, Bishop Soc clarified that it is not.

"It is not just about elections, it is not just about electing a candidate. It is about being a citizen of God and the country. It is about reigning in good citizenship," he said.

He said the main problem in the Philippines is good governance. "But good governance is only a symptom of a good citizenship," he said. "If we have a formation on good citizenship, hopefully, it will overflow into good governance."

Bishop Soc and the BECs in Dagupan prepared a booklet called the Katipunan Formation Program Facilititator's Guide.

The booklet suggests activities that BECs or other groups can adopt to start conversations about corruption, poverty, criminality and other issues.

Bishop Soc mentioned that his Protestant friends saw the booklet and asked if they could use it in their own communities.

He said he agreed because the booklet is not copyrighted and is for everyone—all 120 million Filipinos, including non-Catholics. He even encouraged people to tweak the booklet and adapt it for their community.

"You don't need to register. There is no copyright. We will encourage anyone who wants to use the booklet. Because if more people will experience that kind of teaching, the better for God and the country," he said.

After the group discussions on corruption, poverty, and other issues, Bishop Soc said the people should also discuss action plans for addressing those issues based on their life situations.

The booklet suggests five plans of action or 5Ps: panalangin (prayer), pagtutol (protest), pananagutin (pressure), pagtabas (pruning), and pag-asa (planting hope).

"Ang tunay na makabayan ay dapat na maka-Diyos. Ang tunay na maka-Diyos, dapat makabayan sapagka't ang pagmamahal sa bayan at pagmamahal sa Diyos ay dalawang mukha ng iisang pagmamahal. Sana ang paninindigan nating Kristiyano ay isalin natin sa panindigan ng mabuting Pilipino," Bishop Soc told Paraluman News.

-Paraluman News