On Tuesday, June 30, the Iglesia Ni Cristo (Church Of Christ) led a mass protest of Filipinos, calling for the government’s fair implementation of the law in accordance with truth, accountability, and justice.

The day after, on July 1, the thousands who assembled along EDSA and White Plains Avenue in Quezon City stood their ground, notwithstanding changing weather conditions, and were unfazed by the misinformation and vitriolic comments hurled at them, especially on social media.

“I am busy with my duties as a teacher,” shared Eybel Abella, a junior high school teacher from Bagong Bayan, Dasmariñas City, Cavite. “But I believe that uniting with this call for the unbiased implementation of justice for a better country is truly a noble act. I believe that it is important to express our strong disapproval of the corruption and selective justice happening in this country for it affects not only our livelihood, but most of all, the future of the people.”

From the start of the program in the morning, several speakers expounded on the purpose of the assembly, while others expressed their support for it. In his speech, Brother Arnel Solano, minister of the gospel, stated:

“It is only right that we support what Senator Marcoleta advocates for that is the same call of the Iglesia Ni Cristo: for transparency, accountability, and justice in connection with the great and abominable anomaly happening in the country.” Concerning the investigations being held and the filing of charges against those involved in plundering the nation’s funds, he echoed, “Don’t bend the law. Don’t imprison the ones investigating. File charges against the corrupt.”

“Ito ay isang pagtitipon … para sa lahat ng mga Pilipino dahil ang ating panawagan para sa (is a gathering for all Filipinos because this call for) transparency for a better democracy ay isang panawagan para sa buong bansang Pilipinas (is a call for the entire Philippines),” said Batangas First District representative, Congressman Leandro Leviste.

Meanwhile, Allan Balangi of One Bangsamoro Movement (1BANGSA), stated, “Iisa ang ating sigaw. Iyan ay sigaw para sa katotohanan. Dapat panagutin ang mga kurakot at mga mandarambong (We are calling for one thing. We are calling for truth. Those who are corrupt and plunderers must be held accountable).”

Concerning the insults being hurled against the gathering being held, Senator Imee Marcos replied, “Wala raw kwenta ang ginagawa natin. Wala raw mangyayari. Ngunit diyan sila nagkakamali. …. Ako ay naniniwala na ang mapayapang protesta ay nakaukit sa puso ng bawat isa sa atin (They said what we’re doing is nonsense, that it will bring about nothing. This [movement] will not have any effect, but they are wrong about that. I believe that this peaceful rally is etched deep in our hearts.”

In the evening, Senator Rodante Marcoleta arrived at the venue. In his speech, he said in Filipino, “We must show the true and honest way of service that a public servant must do. In doing so, I strive to become a good example of demonstrating how a public servant should perform his obligations for he has the trust of the people whom he promised to serve.” Further discussing the rights of those convened to express their disgust towards the flood control scandal, he read the preamble of the 1987 Philippine Constitution.

As he ended his speech, Marcoleta reiterated in Filipino, “We shall not allow the law to be bent. Truth and justice must prevail.”

Returning to the stage for another speech, Brother Arnel Tumanan, minister of the gospel, expounded in Filipino, “We voted for them not because we allow them to plunder the nation’s coffers. We chose them because we thought that they would serve for the benefit of the Filipino people. However, they betrayed our trust.” As he concluded, he reminded the crowd that “as long as there are Filipinos who love this country, love the truth, and are firmly upholding justice, there is still hope for this country that we love.”

“Kahit abala ako sa trabaho at iba pang gampanin, sinikap kong makadalo sa panawagan laban sa katiwalian, dahil isa din po akong Pilipino at taxpayer na apektado sa nangyayaring nakawan sa kaban ng bayan (Although I have been busy with work and other responsibilities, I made every effort to attend the rally against corruption because I, too, am a Filipino and a taxpayer affected by the ongoing plunder of our nation’s funds),” shared Rowel Matabang, assistant choir director from the Local Congregation of Pacita, Ecclesiastical District of Central. “Bilang isang Pilipino, nakikita ko ang pang-aabuso sa kapangyarihan ng mga tiwaling opisyal ng gobyerno. Sa halip na sila ang manguna para isulong ang tama at patas na pagpapatupad ng batas ay sila pa ang unang nangbabaluktot. At kung sino pa ang lumalaban kontrak korapsyon ay siya pa ang ginigipit at gustong ipakulong. Kailangan ng ating bansa ang totoong hustisya! Hustisya para sa lahat ng Pilipinong ninakawan! (I have witnessed the abuse of power by public officials who were entrusted with serving the people. Instead of leading by example and ensuring the fair and proper enforcement of the law, they are the very ones who bend and manipulate it. Worse, those who stand up and fight against corruption are the ones being harassed and threatened with imprisonment. Our country needs genuine justice—justice for every Filipino whose hard-earned money has been stolen).”

From Quezon City to Manila
The program ended with an announcement from Brother Eraño Codera, minister of the gospel, stating that due to the Quezon City local government’s revocation of the rally’s permit, the following day’s rally would be held at the Liwasang Bonifacio in Ermita, Manila.

In a statement released by the Manila LGU, City Administrator, Atty. Eduardo Quintos XIV clarified that “Liwasang Bonifacio is a government-designated Freedom Park. As such, the Iglesia [Ni] Cristo (INC) does not need to secure a permit to assemble peacefully in the area.” Meanwhile, in a separate statement, Manila City Mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso explained, “Sa totoo lang, kapag Iglesia Ni Cristo ang nagra-rally, wala akong kakaba-kaba e. Kasi katulad ng ginawa nila dito sa Luneta na may permit. Ilang milyon sila don? Pag-alis nila, [walang] dumi. Wala talaga (In reality, whenever the Iglesia Ni Cristo conducts a rally, I do not feel nervous at all. For like what they did at Luneta with a permit, how many were they there? Upon vacating, there is no dirt. Certainly none).”

“Susundin namin ang batas … Lilipat tayo sa Manila. … Lakad na tayo. Pumunta tayo dun sa pwede tayong mag-ipon na hindi na tayo kailangang kumuha ng permit (We will abide by the law. We will now transfer to Manila. Let’s go. We will go where we can assemble without needing to secure a permit),” said Brother Codera. Also part of his announcement, he requested the authorities, “Magdadaos kami sa pwede naming gawin, iyong aming karapatan, huwag n’yo lang kaming haharangin (We will conduct what we are allowed—our right—but, please, do not block us.” To the attendees, he also reminded them that they will depart peacefully and make sure to leave the place clean.

And similar to previous gatherings led by the INC, after the program, the attendees led by members of the Society of Communicators and Networkers International (SCAN), hand-in-hand with personnel of the Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA), and the Department of Sanitation and Cleanup Works of Quezon City (DSQC) conducted the cleaning of the occupied areas before opening the roads for public passage.

Government’s initial response
“The president is monitoring the situation in EDSA,” confirmed Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Acting Secretary Dave Gomez to reporters on June 30. On July 1, the President flew out of the country for a visit to Canada upon the invitation of Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney.

Reports said that Department of Labor and Employment Acting Secretary Francis Tolentino assumed caretaker duties as one of the designated Cabinet officials overseeing government operations while Marcos is in Canada. — With reports from Eranniel Angelo Dosdos; photos from Jose Primo Rivera Jr., John Louie Domingo, and INC News and Updates