Groups question INC rally motive; QC permit revoked

WHY SHIELD ONE POLITICIAN? A day after its unannounced rally on Edsa, the Iglesia ni Cristo drew criticism not only from commuters and motorists inconvenienced by the gathering, but also from civil society organizations skeptical of its declared intentions. Photo taken on Wednesday, Day 2 of theprotest that drew a thinner crowd near the Edsa People Power Monument. —GRIG C. MONTEGRANDE

MANILA, Philippines — Organizers of recent anticorruption protests challenged on Wednesday the motives behind the Iglesia ni Cristo (INC)-led rally along Edsa, asking why thousands of supporters needed to be mobilized for Sen. Rodante Marcoleta as he faces an impending plunder case before the Office of the Ombudsman.

“Why should any politician need tens of thousands of people to defend him against a legal investigation?” the organizers of the Trillion Peso March asked in a joint statement, arguing that no public official should require the organized backing of thousands to influence or cast doubt on the impartial enforcement of the law.

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The statement, signed by 32 civil society organizations led by Tindig Pilipinas, Akbayan Party-list, 1Sambayan, the August Twenty-One Movement and Clergy for Good Governance, came as the INC protest entered its second day with a visibly smaller crowd near the People Power Monument in Quezon City.

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READ: INC decries raps set vs Marcoleta as ‘selective  justice’

Among those backing the statement were former Supreme Court Associate Justice Antonio Carpio, Francis “Kiko” Dee, grandson of former President Corazon Aquino, and activist priests Robert Reyes and Flavie Villanueva.

‘Deeply troubling’

The INC has publicly rallied behind Marcoleta, one of its prominent members, after the Ombudsman announced on Monday it would file plunder charges this week over his alleged failure to disclose P75 million in campaign contributions before the 2025 elections. The religious group has branded the case an example of “selective justice.”

READ: From endorsement to protest: Iglesia ni Cristo stands by Marcoleta

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While affirming the constitutional rights to religion, expression and peaceful assembly, the coalition said demonstrations become “deeply troubling” when they are organized “primarily to shield a political figure from legal scrutiny or to project public pressure upon institutions charged with enforcing the law.”

“Such actions risk weakening public confidence in the rule of law and creating the dangerous impression that justice depends on political influence rather than legal merit,” the groups said.

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The coalition also opposed the use of the People Power Monument and Edsa, saying the site where the 1986 People Power Revolution unfolded should not become “political cover” for individuals accused of corruption.

“Edsa is more than a physical venue. It is a national symbol of truth, justice, democratic accountability and the rule of law,” the statement read, as the groups renewed their call for a thorough, impartial and independent investigation of all corruption cases regardless of political affiliation.

Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan), another organizer of recent anticorruption protests “Baha sa Luneta,” echoed the criticism, saying the INC’s denunciation of selective justice was intended to preempt Marcoleta’s possible arrest.

“Their condemnation of selective justice smacks of hypocrisy, since their motive is merely to preempt Marcoleta’s looming arrest,” Bayan said, adding that the INC had long engaged in transactional politics by backing political dynasties, including the Marcoses and the Dutertes, while remaining silent on corruption allegations involving the Duterte family.

Permit extended, then revoked

The INC protest began before dawn Tuesday without a permit, occupying portions of Edsa near White Plains Avenue and triggering massive traffic after buses blocked northbound lanes during the morning rush hour.

After issuing a permit for Wednesday’s assembly, the Quezon City government cleared the rally to continue for a third day along White Plains Avenue-Temple Drive, subject to strict conditions, only to take it back shortly after.

“We regret to inform you that after judicious evaluation of the current circumstances, particularly the severe difficulties being experienced by the general public due to the conduct of the rally along Edsa and White Plains Avenue, the Department of Public Order and Safety is constrained to withdraw its No Objection/Rally Permit to the said activity issued as of even date,” QC’s Department of Public Order and Safety head Elmo San Diego said in a letter to INC minister Eraño Codera.

Consequently, the INC said they will move to Liwasang Bonifacio, a freedom park where permit is not required for public demonstrations.

“We will go where we can assemble without having to get a permit,” one of the organizers announced after concluding the program last night. “See you at Liwasang Bonifacio in Manila.”

Authorities estimated Wednesday’s crowd at about 4,000 participants, down sharply from Tuesday’s peak of 14,100. Many spent the night inside buses, tents and makeshift sleeping areas.

Residents from Batangas province also joined the gathering. Barangay Bilaran Councilor Allan Tabanggay of Nasugbu said about 500 residents from Balayan, Nasugbu and Lian initially gathered at Liwasang Bonifaio in Manila before traveling to Edsa to protest corruption and support Marcoleta, whom he claimed was being unfairly targeted.

Roads reopen

Following negotiations with police, organizers moved buses parked on Edsa back to White Plains Avenue, allowing three northbound lanes to reopen. The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority later announced that all three lanes in both directions had become fully passable after the buses were removed.

National Capital Region Police Office spokesperson Maj. Hazel Asilo said the repositioning complied with the permit, which barred the occupation of Edsa to prevent another day of severe traffic congestion.

Four people detained after clashes between police and rally participants have been released, although investigators continue to identify those allegedly involved in assaulting law enforcers.

Maximum tolerance

Philippine National Police chief Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. urged organizers to strictly observe the permit, saying police had been instructed to exercise maximum tolerance while ensuring public safety and minimizing inconvenience to motorists. Four people detained after clashes between police and rally participants have since been released, although investigators continue to identify those allegedly involved in assaulting law enforcers.

“Our personnel have been instructed to exercise maximum tolerance while remaining ready to enforce the law and protect the safety of participants and the general public,” Nartatez said.

He said police had implemented traffic management and security measures to minimize inconvenience to motorists while safeguarding the constitutional right to peaceful assembly.

“To the public, we assure you that the PNP is taking all necessary measures to minimize inconvenience, manage traffic, and ensure everyone’s safety,” Nartatez said.

“We appeal for patience and cooperation as we carry out our duty to facilitate both the constitutional right to peaceful assembly and the uninterrupted delivery of essential public services,” he added.

Palace reacts

Malacañang, meanwhile, dismissed speculation that the INC rally was part of efforts to destabilize the Marcos administration while President Marcos was on an official visit to Canada until July 3.

The President departed for Vancouver on Tuesday night upon the invitation of Canadian Prime Minister Mark Joseph Carney. He designated Executive Secretary Ralph Recto, Agrarian Reform Secretary Conrado Estrella III and Labor Secretary Francis Tolentino as caretakers of the government while he is away.

Palace press officer Claire Castro said the government respected the INC leadership and did not believe the church intended to oust the President, although authorities remained alert to reports that other groups could exploit the protest. She stressed that the administration would uphold the right to peaceful assembly as long as participants obey the law, adding that the case against Marcoleta was initiated by the Office of the Ombudsman, an independent constitutional body beyond the President’s authority.

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The INC has maintained that its demonstrations seek transparency, accountability, justice and peace while expressing support for Marcoleta, whom it endorsed in the 2025 elections. —WITH REPORTS FROM ZACARIAN SARAO, DEXTER CABALZA, AND ISABELLE PECHAY