Metro Manila, Philippines – Thousands of people joined the Iglesia ni Cristo (INC) in calling for transparency and justice in the flood control corruption scandal as the religious sect started its three-day rally in Manila on Sunday, Nov. 16.
INC’s rally commenced following the video of resigned Ako Bicol Party-list Rep. Zaldy Co that linked President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to the flood control mess, saying the president has ordered him to insert P100 billion to the 2025 budget, which Malacañang denied.
In a message to reporters, Malacañang said Marcos is monitoring the rallies, as another group staged its own event at the People Power Monument in Quezon City.
As of 6 p.m., Manila disaster response officials estimated around 650,000 people flocked the Quirino Grandstand for the INC event.
Protesters wore white shirts with the phrase “transparency and a better democracy” printed in the church’s red and green colors.
Sen. Rodante Marcoleta, who has ties to the religious group, spoke to the crowd to criticize the ongoing flood control investigation, saying the Independent Commission for Infrastructure is not truly independent.
Marcoleta reiterated that contractor couple Curlee and Sarah Discaya must be turned into state witnesses, as well as gave support to Orly Guteza, who linked then-Speaker Martin Romualdez to the flood control mess.
Police have been on full alert for the mobilization, with the Manila government suspending classes until Tuesday to give way for the three-day rally.
In Quezon City, the United People’s Initiative, a group led by retired military officials, trooped to the People Power Monument to stage their own rally.
“We call on President Ferdinand Marcos Jr, to take immediate and decisive steps to restore confidence in the Office of the President immediately,” the group said in a statement. “The allegations raised against his administration are too serious to dismiss, too detailed to ignore, and too consequential to leave unanswered.”
It said Marcos must resign if the president cannot satisfactorily address the allegations.
On Sept. 21, the Taumbayan Ayaw sa Magnanakaw at Abusado Network Alliance held its anti-corruption rally in Luneta in Manila, while the Trillion Peso March movement protested at the People Power Monument.
The groups are expected to hold another protest on Nov. 30.
