Nothing surprising about the surprise rally

Last Tuesday, Metro Manila woke up to a “surprise” rally by members of the Iglesia ni Cristo (INC) at the People Power Monument. This was allegedly prompted by the news that fellow INC member Sen. Rodante Marcoleta would be charged with plunder. Its leaders called out the “selective justice” and some of those in attendance called for President Marcos to resign.

While the schedule of the rally itself was surprising, I dare say the moves and strategies of the INC in this case were not surprising at all.

What has been consistent with INC and their public protests is that they protect their own. With all the arrests that have been made and charges that have been filed, why do they consider Marcoleta’s impending plunder case the turning point for justice? It is hard to imagine that him being part of the INC was not the biggest factor. In fact, political pundits have long predicted that the INC will come out in protest in the event that Marcoleta will be charged.

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If you take a look at their past rallies, the INC almost always did so to protect an ally. Last year’s “National Rally for Peace” was in support of Vice President Sara Duterte, who was then threatened with an impeachment complaint. In 2015, they held protests to oppose the government’s investigation of alleged illegal detention filed by expelled ministers against INC leaders.

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This was also not the first time that the INC conducted a rally without a permit. While their prayer rallies tend to be coordinated with local authorities, both their rallies in 2015 (when they felt the state was meddling with internal church affairs) and last Tuesday (when a senator, an INC member, was set to be charged with plunder) commenced without permits and caused significant disruption for Metro Manila. Tuesday saw many commuters stranded and forced nearby schools to close early.

As rallies and public protests go, the goal is to have as much impact as possible. Some pointed out that protests are supposed to be disruptive, which is how some supporters justified the “carmageddon” they caused. But usually, the inconvenience to commuters and the general public is a byproduct of advocacy, not the goal. In this case, I’d have to wonder if the disruption was by design. The blockage on Edsa was driven, not just by the sheer number of people, but by buses and other vehicles intentionally parked on Edsa (and later taking over the Ortigas flyover as well). I read that it took almost 24 hours for the bus that blocked multiple lanes of Edsa northbound to be removed.

Members of the media tried to find out what exactly they are protesting, but video caught people warning each other not to talk to them. This is also odd, since typically a protest’s goal is to deliver a strong unified message. Why not take the opportunity to broadcast what you’re fighting for?

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Based on past behavior, the INC likes to show their strength in numbers, especially when they throw their weight behind political causes. They have demonstrated that their numbers can elect a leader (though this theory is starting to get contested, as it seems that they also tend to choose “winnable” candidates). However, they have had mixed success in unseating one.

This is where the trappings of people power come in. It has been quite surreal to watch Duterte allies and supporters, who have traditionally mocked the “dilawans,” make use of people power related symbols. Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano raised his hand in the shape of an L, the iconic “Laban” sign, and at one point, aligned himself with late Sen. Ninoy Aquino (even as he accused an Aquino relative of being a Marcos follower). The phrase “people power” has been uttered repeatedly as they call for people to take to the streets. (It is important to note that they attempted, unsuccessfully, to call for people power during Sen. Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa’s surprise appearance at the Senate, and again during the Senate “attack” incident.) The fact that they chose to rally at the People Power Monument and occupy Edsa makes it seem as if they want to be seen as the next People Power Revolution.

If what they want is to invoke a People Power Revolution (which would align with them wanting Mr. Marcos to resign), then the “surprise” rally and the unnecessary disruption start to make sense. The surprise rally would make the whole event seem more organic and less preplanned. The disruption caused by their buses and vehicles makes the event look larger and more impactful than it is, reenacting when Edsa was taken over by throngs of people during 1986 and 2001. Their grand calls for justice are an attempt to enjoin others in their cause, which incidentally overshadows the inconvenient fact that they’re protecting a senator who freely confessed to receiving millions of pesos as a public official.

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They can put on the costume of people power, but we see this as part of their usual behavior: protecting the powerful. Nothing surprising here.

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