Thousands more have joined the Iglesia Ni Cristo (Church Of Christ) members-led peaceful assembly along EDSA and White Plains ave., Quezon City, Philippines. The number of attendees was pegged at 13,000 plus mid-afternoon of June 30. Others gathered at Liwasang Bonifacio, Ermita, Manila. The Quezon City Police District (QCPD) confirmed the issuance of a permit for the rally.

With this sea of people comes heavy traffic. “Pasensya na po ‘yung mga nata-traffic (We’re sorry to those who experienced this traffic), but protests are meant para magising tayo sa nangyayari (to make us aware what’s truly happening),” said Senator Alan Peter Cayetano, one of the guest speakers on the first day of the assembly.

“We went here to express our sentiments to the government leaders,” shared Ernie Lerin from Bacoor, Cavite. “This is a call to the government not to intimidate those who uphold and implement what is right and just. Instead, they should seek the truth, conduct a proper investigation, and hold accountable the corrupt leaders who plundered public funds and brought greater hardship upon the Filipino people.”

The rally comes after the announcement by the Ombudsman, Jesus Crispin Remulla, that a case of plunder is in the works against Senator Rodante Marcoleta, who has been consistently working to unmask the masterminds behind the flood control scandal—one of the biggest, if not the biggest, corruption scandals in Philippine history. With plunder being a non-bailable case, the move by the Ombudsman is seen by many as a brazen act to silence Senator Marcoleta and try to prevent him from actively pursuing his investigation.

A Japhet Cañete also from Cavite said,  “We are here because government corruption has become so rampant that leaders are openly bending the law to suit their interests. As working-class citizens struggling to survive, our family joined this movement to demand an end to this systemic political theft.”

In the afternoon, several speakers made known to the public the purpose and motivation of the rally. Brother Rommel Topacio, minister of the gospel, said in his speech:

“My fellow countrymen and brethren, we are gathered here today not for the sake of just one individual. What we are witnessing in our country right now is not  the enforcement of the law but what appears to be a grand conspiracy.” He doubled-down on the observation that the impending arrest and plunder charges against Senator Rodante Marcoleta are designed to silence him and cover up a massive flood control scandal, rather than a legitimate enforcement of the law.

“Tama na, mahiya naman kayo (What you’ve done is enough. Have shame on you). Selective justice is injustice … Far from the justice,” exclaimed Senator Cayetano in his speech, addressed to his colleagues he so hoped to “expose how other authorities in the government twisted the truth and stopped Marcoleta from investigating the corruption of the flood control scandal.”

Brother Arnel A. Tumanan, minister of the gospel, also echoed the sentiment of the people. He said in his speech: “We’re here today because of our shared conviction. We stand here to demand truth, justice, and accountability—not just for ourselves, but for our beloved nation. Let me ask you this: Why is the investigator now the one being prosecuted? Why are they targeting the very person who exposes the truth? The COMELEC itself already cleared him. If receiving campaign funds is now the basis for plunder, why are they only targeting Marcoleta? Why aren’t they filing charges against the other politicians involved in the systematic looting of DPWH funds? The evidence is right in front of them, so why is the Ombudsman playing blind?”

He admonished the people: “Senator Marcoleta must be protected, while the corrupt must be prosecuted. The real plunderers belong behind bars! Unmask the truth and hold the masterminds of corruption accountable—do not attack the whistleblower. Let true justice prevail! This is why we stand up and unite. We will never allow the truth to be killed by their intimidation and deceit. For as long as there are Filipinos ready to stand up for what is right, there is hope for our nation!”

For his part, Atty. Neil Abayon reminded the rallyists of the Article 2 of 1987 Constitution, Section One: “The Philippines is a democratic state. Democratic … ibig sabihin po malaya tayo [meaning, we are free] regardless of whether or not we belong to the majority, minority, opposition. Pwede tayo magsalita at protected ang karapatan natin [We can speak and our right is protected].”

In the evening, Senator Imee Marcos said in her speech, “Do not ignore the evidences.” Lawyer Trixie Angeles, formerly a press secretary, emphasized: “Don’t bend the law.”

“I’m not a member of this Church but I stand with this fight. This is no longer about religion; this is about us, and the future of our children and grandchildren. My only hope is for the Philippines to finally have a clean, working system once again,” said Manuelito Ornedo, a Catholic. “From what I can see, the Iglesia Ni Cristo is putting up an incredibly solid front against the actions of our current administration—against corruption and the blatant twisting of the law. The government is reversing the roles, prosecuting the very people who push for the truth, while letting the guilty walk free. I’m fighting this battle simply as a Filipino.”

Hopeful of the rally’s message reaching those concerned, many of the protesters did not leave the venue. They either slept in their parked vehicles or at the sidewalks surrounding the venue.

As of this writing, more people are headed to the rally site. — Photos from Jerome Comaoay, Jose Primo Rivera Jr., Kyle Ronuald Arellano, Erraniel Angelo Dosdos, and Marco Angelo Sigua