1.5-M strong INC rally: Stop Duterte impeachment

Metro Manila, Philippines - Religious group Iglesia ni Cristo (INC) mustered around about 1.5 million members at its peace rally on Monday, Jan. 13, to deliver the message: Stop the impeachment of Vice President Sara Duterte.

INC spokesperson Edwin Zabala said they organized the event to support President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.’s remarks against the ouster of Duterte as it will not benefit Filipinos.

Those who participated at Quirino Grandstand in Manila held placards, calling for unity and solution to pressing issues. Others mounted rallies in the regions.

“Nakikiisa po kami sa kagustuhan ng President Bongbong Marcos,” said INC member Femilyn Daguio. “Para sa ganun ay maiwasan ang pagkabaha-bahagi ng mga namamahala ng bansa kundi unahin muna ang mga problema ng bansa.”

[Translation: We are enjoining President Bongbong Marcos’ stance so that divisiveness among the country’s leaders would be avoided and solving problems comes first.]

Other members said politics was not a factor in their participation.

“Ginawa po namin ito para sa kapayapaan talaga. Wala kaming sinusuportahang pulitiko; para sa kapayapaan ng ating bansa, para sa mamamayan,” Arsenio Jacop, another member, said.

[Translation: We did this for peace. We are not supporting any politician; just for peace of the country and our countrymen.]

“Para sa kabutihan ng ating mamamayan, para sa katatagan ng tao dito sa’tin, at higit sa lahat para mag-peace lahat. Para sa lahat na maging maayos, maging masaya ang ating Panginoong Diyos,” said Merly de Jesus.

[Translation: This is for the betterment of our community, for the strength of our people, and for peace. For everything to be in place, our Lord would be glad.]

Duterte thanked the INC members.

“Ito ay isang makapangyarihang pagpapakita ng pagkakaisa at pananampalataya na ang tanging hangad lamang ay kapayapaan tungo sa kaunlaran ng ating bansa,” she said in a video message.

[Translation: This is a powerful showcase of unity and faith which only aims for peace towards the success of the country.]

Malacañang, meanwhile, believed that the opinions that were raised in the rally would help in clarifying issues that would result in unity.

Some politicians also went to the event. Senators Bato dela Rosa and Robin Padilla shared their sentiments.

“I hope the people behind the impeachment - hindi lang ‘yung nagpa-file. Yung nagpa-file diyan, nagagamit lang ‘yan… Sana nakikinig sila sa mensahe na pinaparating nitong mga kababayan natin. This is a mammoth crowd,” dela Rosa told reporters in an interview.

[Translation: I hope the people behind the impeachment - not only those who filed because some of them were just used… I hope they listen to the message of our fellow Filipinos.]

“Napakaplastik ko naman kung sasabihin ko sa inyo ‘pag ‘yan ay umakyat sa Senado ay mag-iisip pa kayo kung anong iboboto ko. Definitely po, ako ay pabor sa sinasabi ng ating pangulo. Ako po ay pabor para sa ating pangalawang pangulo,” Padilla, on the other hand, said.

[Translation: I’m not being true if I tell you that I am still thinking about my vote, if the impeachment complaint reaches the Senate. Definitely, I am in favor of our president and vice president.]

On the other hand, progressive group Bayan said the rally aimed to “shield” Duterte from her cases.

Asked about the religious group’s support for Duterte despite issues hounding her, Zabala said: “Hindi tayo dapat unang bumato doon sa wala pa naman palang napapatunayan (na kasalanan).”

[Translation: We should not be the first to condemn a person who is not yet proven to have made a mistake.]

Duterte has been facing three impeachment complaints for betrayal of public trust, graft and corruption, and plunder, among other grounds.

The House good government and public accountability has been investigating her ₱612.5-million confidential funds under the Office of the Vice President and the Education Department that she headed.