January 13, 2025—Amid the various problems and unrest that are troubling the Philippines, members of the Iglesia Ni Cristo (Church Of Christ) are currently holding their National Rally For Peace.

Iglesia Ni Cristo members, together with fellow Filipino citizens, are gathered not only in Quirino Grandstand in Manila, but also in 12 other sites all over the Philippines, namely: Quirino Stadium, Vigan, Ilocos Sur; Isabela Sports Complex, Isabela; Sawangan Park, Legazpi City, Albay; Provincial Capitol of Palawan; Iloilo City Freedom Grandstand; Capitol Park and Lagoon, Bacolod City; South Road Properties, Cebu City; Ormoc City Plaza, Leyte; Pagadian City, Zamboanga del Sur; Plaza Divisoria, Cagayan de Oro City; Rizal Park, Davao City; and Butuan City Sports Complex.

The Church Of Christ initially announced on December 4, 2024, that it will hold a rally (net25.com) in support of the opinion of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. regarding the impeachment efforts against Vice President Sara Duterte. The Presidetent said that it is just a waste of time and will not be of help to anyone. Part of the message of the nationwide rally is the call to government officials to focus their energies in addressing the problems plaguing the Filipino people.

Wilma R. Mata, a deaconess from the Local Congregation of Cubao, in the Ecclesiastical District of Central, traveled to Quirino Grandstand for the rally a day before. “I left our home Sunday afternoon. And I have already filed a leave from my work so that I can be with the brethren today. It is my hope that our government leaders will listen to our clamor for them to address the problems that the Filipino people face instead of efforts that will only lead to disunity.”

“I cannot contain the happiness I feel in showing my solidarity for the National Rally for Peace. I have heard the statement from the Church Administration outlining the actions to be taken for the peace and welfare of our country during our worship services. It is clear to all of us—INC members— that this rally is a call to support the peace and unity of our nation. With this, we urge the leaders of the Philippines to unite for the greater good of our country and the well-being of the Filipino people,” expressed Krisna Ciubal, 21, choir member from Tarlac City Local Congregation, Ecclesiastical District of Tarlac.

A few days prior to the rally, the Church Administration through the Church’s General Evangelist, Brother Bienvenido C. Santiago, reiterated that this rally is not politically motivated but an effort to call the attention of the government leaders to the real problems that need to be solved and not on personal interests that will only further divide the nation. INC emphasizes that peace is what it aspires for the entire country.

“Although I have work, I choose to show my unity with the Church Administration in their call for peace among the country’s leaders. I hope that the actions taken by INC members will draw the attention of government officials to prioritize the most pressing issues in the Philippines, which would have a positive impact on the nation and its citizens,” said Ibarra Beltran, 56, Light of Salvation overseer from Omboy Local Congregation, Ecclesiastical District of Sta. Cruz, Laguna.

Jake Villanueva, 23, dental technologist from Caloocan City, said, “Though I am not an INC member, I support what INC members stand for in this rally. I would also like to express my desire for the leaders of our country to prioritize issues that directly impact the lives of every Filipino. For example, aiding those who are severely affected by calamities and providing proper solutions, so Filipino citizens will not suffer as much whenever calamities strike again. I believe this act is not just for the benefit of INC members, but represents the collective aspirations of all Filipinos. It serves as a call to the nation’s leaders to prioritize the welfare of the Filipino people, who have entrusted them with leadership. I hope that this event will encourage the leaders to address the urgent issues affecting the lives of their constituents with the necessary promptness and attention.”

It is anticipated that over a million INC members will gather at the Quirino Grandstand alone, not including those participating at 12 other designated sites, all expressing their support for the call for peace among the nation’s leaders. (https://www.brigadanews.ph/1-million-inc-members-to-flood-quirino-grandstand-for-peace-rally/)

Rodel Biazon, an area overseer from the Local Congregation of Malabon, Ecclesiastical District of Camanava, expressed, “My entire family traveled early in the morning all the way from Malabon to participate in this endeavor, supporting the call of the Church Administration for the peace and unity of our country. May all our government officials heed the plea of the Filipino people and prioritize the nation’s welfare over personal interests.”

When asked how the brethren prepared for the event, Brother Renante John Pacquiao, resident minister of the San Juan Local Congregation, stated: “More than a month before the National Rally for Peace, our local congregation began holding devotional prayers, not only in the house of worship but also in the households of Iglesia Ni Cristo members. As the Church Administration has emphasized, this act is meant not only to promote peace in the country, urging the leaders of the Philippines to unite for the progress of the nation and the well-being of all Filipinos, but also for the greater glory of God. As the Bible states, ‘How very good and pleasant it is when kindred live together in unity!’ [Ps. 133:1, New Revised Standard Version].’”

As of this writing, the Philippine National Police (PNP) estimated that the crowd that has gathered for the National Rally for Peace in Quirino Grandstand and its immediate vicinity has reached 1.6 million.