Metro Manila, Philippines – The two-day Iglesia Ni Cristo (INC) rally added to the public pressure in demanding accountability in flood control anomalies, and at the same time a show of “moderate” support for Vice President Sara Duterte, a political analyst said.
In an interview with NewsWatch Plus, University of Santo Tomas Political Science chairperson Dennis Coronacion said the INC “transparency” rally may have contributed to sustained calls for action against flood control corruption, despite what he described as sloppy developments in the ongoing probe.
“The people thought na nakalimutan na o wala na, nakalimutan na o hindi na seryoso iyong pamahalaan, doon sa pagpo-prosecute, pag-iimbestiga ng mga involved public officials…para hindi matulog yung gobyerno sa issue na ito, dapat patuloy yung public pressure. Doon nakatulong itong Iglesia Ni Cristo,” he said.
[Translation: People thought that it had already been forgotten or that the government was no longer serious about prosecuting and investigating the involved public officials… To keep the government from letting this issue sleep, there must be continuous public pressure. That’s where the Iglesia Ni Cristo helped.]
Coronacion said the protest cut short by a day showed the influence of the religious group, known for its traditional bloc voting, in reconvening politics.
The INC said the rally “did not need three days to achieve the goal of sending the message that we are calling for justice, accountability, transparency, and peace.”
Support for Duterte
Apart from calls for transparency, Coronacion said the rally also exposed the group’s continued support for Duterte, whom they endorsed along with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. in the 2022 national elections.
‘Yung vice president, parang she has already positioned herself as a critic of the government, opposition. So, if ever kung mayroon man itong political color, iyon na nga, pagpapakita ng suporta sa kampo ni Vice President Sara Duterte,” he said, noting the appearance of known Duterte allies in the rally.
“Pinapakita nila kung kaninong side sila pero in moderation. In moderation, hindi naman ito blind. Hindi sila blind followers ni Vice President Sara Duterte,” Coronacion added.
[Translation: The vice president, it seems she has already positioned herself as a critic of the government, part of the opposition. So, if ever there is any political color to this, it is exactly that, showing support for the camp of Vice President Sara Duterte…They are showing whose side they’re on, but in moderation. In moderation. They are not blind. They are not blind followers of Vice President Sara Duterte.]
Sen. Rodante Marcoleta and Sen. Imee Marcos separately appeared in the protests, where the presidential sister accused the president of using illegal drugs.
Duterte distanced herself from the INC protest, but expressed support for Filipinos calling out corruption.
The vice president parted ways with the administration in July 2024 when she resigned as secretary of the Department of Education.
Duterte was impeached by the House of Representatives in February 2025 over supposed mismanagement of funds, threats to the presidential family, among others. Her impeachment was archived by the Senate impeachment court, following a Supreme Court decision.
