Imee Marcos Slams PBBM Gov't as 'Bangag, Walang Malay' at INC Rally

In a recent ANC 24/7 report, Senator Imee Marcos described herself as heartbroken while labeling her brother President Bongbong Marcos's administration corrupt and wayward during her speech at the Iglesia ni Cristo rally on Day 2 at EDSA Shrine in Quezon City.

Imee Marcos Slams PBBM Gov't as 'Bangag, Walang Malay' at INC Rally

Manila, Philippines — Senator Imee Marcos stood before thousands at the Iglesia ni Cristo rally on Wednesday, July 1, and directly accused her brother President Bongbong Marcos's administration of corruption and incompetence. She used the phrases "corrupt, wayward" and "bangag, walang malay" to describe officials who ignore evidence in the flood control scandal and the plunder case against Senator Rodante Marcoleta. The event took place at EDSA Shrine in Quezon City after the Quezon City government issued a permit for White Plains Avenue and Temple Drive from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.

The INC Rally Draws Crowds at EDSA Shrine

The Iglesia ni Cristo rally began on Tuesday, June 30, at EDSA Shrine in Quezon City without an initial permit. Police estimated 15,500 attendees on the first day. On Wednesday, July 1, the crowd grew larger as participants gathered to support Senator Rodante Marcoleta. The Quezon City government later recalled the permit for July 2, prompting organizers to move the rally to Liwasang Bonifacio in Manila. President Bongbong Marcos directed the Philippine National Police to exercise maximum tolerance during the gathering.

Residents from barangays across Metro Manila arrived by jeepney and public transport. Many carried signs calling for justice in the flood control scandal. The rally also drew members from other groups including KOJC, Christian organizations, and Muslim communities who answered the call to join.

Imee Marcos Delivers Sharp Criticism of the Administration

Senator Imee Marcos addressed the crowd and stated that the government remains "bangag, walang malay" while evidence and witnesses pile up in multiple cases. She specifically mentioned the flood control scam and said officials show no concern. "Sambunton ng ebidensya, dose-dosenang testigo," she told the audience. She added that justice must apply equally to the poor and the rich.

The senator called on citizens to interfere for truth and justice. "Makialam na po tayo... Makialam para maibalik ang katotohanan sa ating lipunan," she said. She emphasized that the youth deserve a system where accountability reaches every level of government. This marks her second appearance at an INC rally criticizing the administration, following her November 2025 speech at a similar event.

Flood Control Scandal Involves Multiple Officials

The billion-peso flood control scandal has drawn repeated protests from the Iglesia ni Cristo since November 2025. Senator Imee Marcos stated that at least 18 Marines face implication in the case. She pointed to stacks of evidence and dozens of witnesses that the administration has not acted upon. Families in flood-prone areas of Quezon City and Manila continue to face annual inundation because projects funded by public money remain incomplete or substandard.

Workers in construction and engineering sectors tied to these projects report delayed payments and lost contracts when investigations stall. Students in affected barangays lose school days when classrooms flood. The scandal affects daily life for jeepney drivers who lose income during heavy rains and for sari-sari store owners whose goods are damaged by rising water.

Plunder Case Against Senator Marcoleta Moves Forward

Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla may file plunder charges against Senator Rodante Marcoleta over P75 million in alleged undeclared campaign donations from the 2025 elections. The funds reportedly moved through accounts within a four-day period in January 2025. Others named in the case include Mike Defensor, Joseph Varias Espiritu, and Aristotle Viray. Marcoleta denies any wrongdoing and describes the charges as pure politicking linked to his role in the Vice President Sara Duterte impeachment trial.

Alan Peter Cayetano, Senate Minority Leader, called the case nonsense and warned of a chilling effect on anti-corruption advocates. Marcoleta claims the timing targets his connection to the impeachment proceedings scheduled to begin on July 6 with 92 trial days approved by the Senate.

Political Alignments Shift in the Senate

Senator Imee Marcos has steadily distanced herself from her brother's administration in recent months. She previously labeled the President's "no election" claim as fake news, prompting him to call her part of the problem. The Senate minority bloc now includes Marcoleta, Imee Marcos, and Alan Peter Cayetano, aligning more closely with the Duterte faction ahead of the impeachment trial.

Vice President Sara Duterte endorsed the INC rally though she did not attend. The Iglesia ni Cristo maintains its tradition of bloc voting that has influenced past elections, including support for former President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo and former President Rodrigo Duterte. This political realignment affects legislative priorities on budgets handled by the Department of Budget and Management and oversight of agencies such as the Department of Public Works and Highways.

Human Impact Reaches Families Across Regions

OFWs who send remittances to relatives in flood-affected provinces worry about the safety of their families when infrastructure projects stall. Farmers in provinces near Manila report crop losses during monsoon seasons because drainage systems tied to the scandal remain unfinished. Students preparing for national exams lose study time when schools close due to flooding in Quezon City and nearby areas.

Communities in Davao and Cebu watch the developments because national budget allocations for disaster resilience flow through the same agencies under scrutiny. The lack of accountability raises daily costs for households that must repair homes and replace belongings after each storm.

INC's Historical Influence on Philippine Elections

The Iglesia ni Cristo has endorsed candidates in multiple national elections, shaping outcomes through coordinated voting. Its rallies at EDSA Shrine and other sites have pressured administrations on issues ranging from corruption to social policy. The current gathering continues that pattern by focusing on the flood control scandal and the Marcoleta case.

Barangay leaders in Metro Manila note that INC members often organize community clean-ups and relief efforts after disasters. Their participation in the rally adds organizational strength to calls for accountability that reach beyond the Senate chamber.

Implications for the Upcoming Impeachment Trial

The Senate trial of Vice President Sara Duterte begins on July 6. Senator Imee Marcos's public statements at the INC rally signal potential fractures within the Marcos-led coalition. The minority bloc's support for Marcoleta could influence witness lists and evidence handling during the 92 trial days.

Observers in Congress expect heated debates over budget insertions and agency oversight. The outcome will affect funding for the Department of Education, the Department of Health, and local government units that rely on national allocations for basic services.

The administration's response to the rally and the cases will shape public trust in institutions such as the Office of the Ombudsman and the Philippine National Police. Families in urban poor communities and rural barangays wait to see whether investigations produce concrete results or remain stalled by political maneuvering.

By Bella Reyes, Staff Writer