MANILA — Iglesia Ni Cristo (INC) members staged a massive surprise protest along EDSA near the People Power Monument in Quezon City and at Liwasang Bonifacio in Manila yesterday, disrupting traffic and stranding thousands of commuters and workers.
The resulting traffic congestion forced President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. to cancel two major public engagements and stayed in Malacañang to monitor the situation.
The Philippine National Police said that the number of rallyists reached some 12,000 at around 1 p.m. and could grow by late afternoon or early evening.
In a statement, INC stated that the rally was in support of its member Sen. Rodante Marcoleta, who announced he could be facing arrest anytime soon for a plunder charge.
Marcoleta himself also claimed this could be a calculated move to bar him from participating in the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte that is scheduled to start on July 6.
Due to the rally-triggered traffic jam, President Marcos, instead of attending yesterday morning the inauguration of the MV Nilad – a marine cleanup vessel at the South Harbor in Manila – was represented by Transportation Acting Secretary Giovanni Lopez, who delivered the President’s prepared speech.
The President also skipped the Foreign Correspondents Association of the Philippines (FOCAP) Presidential Luncheon at the Makati Shangri-La Hotel, Presidential Communications Office Acting Secretary Dave Gomez confirmed.
According to Gomez, Marcos opted to remain in Malacañang to closely monitor developments related to the protest while continuing with his scheduled activities inside the Palace.
INC spokesperson Edwil Zabala, the religious group said the gathering was also aimed at calling for transparency, accountability, justice, and peace.
But the rallyists also expressed support for Marcoleta, questioning why he was allegedly being prosecuted after leading congressional investigations into what it described as large-scale corruption.
“Tutol kami sa pagbaluktot sa batas lalo na kung ang layunin ay pagtakpan ang katiwalian. Gaya ng marami, si Senator Rodante Marcoleta ay nanguna sa pag-iimbestiga sa pinaka-malaking pandarambong sa ating kasaysayan,” Zabala said.
Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said the President has been receiving regular updates, particularly on the impact of the demonstration on commuters and workers.
“Nagmo-monitor po ang Pangulo sa ngayon sa kasalukuyang sitwasyon. Patuloy na inaalam ang nangyayari sa mga kababayan natin na naantala sa paglalakbay at pagtatrabaho dahil sa nangyayari sa EDSA,” Castro said.
She added that Marcos is likewise monitoring the welfare of motorists and commuters caught in the heavy traffic, as well as the actions being undertaken by police to maintain public safety.
“Mino-monitor din niya ang kapakanan ng ibang kababayan na naiipit sa gitna ng EDSA pati na rin ang pagsasagawa ng mga kapulisan ng kanilang mandato na magbigay proteksyon at seguridad sa mga inosente nating kababayan,” Castro said.
Marcoleta is facing a plunder complaint before the Office of the Ombudsman over alleged undisclosed campaign donations linked to his senatorial bid.
He declared spending P112 million for his 2025 Senate campaign but reported zero campaign contributions in documents submitted to the Commission on Elections (Comelec), despite having a declared net worth of only P51 million.
Marcoleta later admitted receiving P75 million in donations, maintaining that the contributions were made before the official campaign period and before he became an official candidate. He argued that, under election rules, he was not yet required to disclose the donations.
Although the Comelec said no election law had been violated because the funds were received prior to the start of Marcoleta’s official candidacy, the Department of Justice pointed out that he had obtained the money while still serving as a congressman representing the SAGIP party-list.
The Ombudsman alleged that Marcoleta had “unjustly” enriched himself by accepting the campaign funds, with investigators treating the donations as ill-gotten wealth.
Under Republic Act No. 7080, or the Anti-Plunder Law, public officials accused of amassing at least P50 million in ill-gotten wealth may face life imprisonment and perpetual disqualification from holding public office if convicted.
Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla announced on June 29 that his office would file plunder charges against Marcoleta before the Sandiganbayan within the week. Once the case is filed, the anti-graft court is expected to determine whether to issue an arrest warrant for the non-bailable offense./PN
