INC Rally Swarms EDSA: Thousands Protest Marcoleta...

The Rally at EDSA and Liwasang Bonifacio

Thousands of Iglesia ni Cristo members assembled at the EDSA People Power Monument in Quezon City starting early Tuesday morning. The crowd stood at around 9,000 by 9 AM and grew to 12,000 by 11 AM. Another 400 members gathered at Liwasang Bonifacio in Manila.

INC spokesperson Edwin Zabala stated that the rallies defend Senator Rodante Marcoleta against non-bailable plunder charges involving P75 million in campaign contributions before his 2025 Senate run. The Ombudsman, Jesus Crispin Remulla, plans to file these charges this week. Marcoleta serves as a senator-judge who will vote in Vice President Sara Duterte's impeachment trial that begins next week.

Participants also demanded accountability in the multibillion-peso flood control corruption scandal. The event echoed the INC's 2015 mass protest at the Department of Justice against then-Senator Leila de Lima. Buses carrying INC members blocked the EDSA busway during the morning rush hour.

Government Response and Security Measures

PNP Chief Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. ordered full alert status across the National Capital Region, Regions 3, and 4A as of 5 AM on Tuesday. Authorities deployed 5,936 police officers to key sites including the EDSA Shrine, Senate, Mendiola, Ayala Bridge, US Embassy, and Liwasang Bonifacio.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. canceled his morning activities, including an EDSA monument inauguration and a luncheon with foreign correspondents, to monitor developments from Malacañang. The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority shut down White Plains Avenue, which caused heavy traffic along EDSA.

The Department of the Interior and Local Government urged INC participants to cooperate with authorities despite the rally lacking a permit. Several individuals faced arrest after altercations broke out. The Department of Transportation confirmed that busway operations would continue despite the disruptions.

Political Implications for Philippine Institutions

Vice President Sara Duterte endorsed the rally and described it as evidence of growing public sentiment against the Marcos administration's alleged weaponization of the justice system. This position aligns with her upcoming impeachment trial where Senator Marcoleta holds a vote as a senator-judge.

The demonstration places pressure on Congress and the Senate amid preparations for the trial. It also highlights tensions between the executive branch and influential religious organizations like the INC that have historically mobilized large voter bases in Philippine elections.

Palace spokesperson Claire Castro defended the flood control investigation by pointing to filed cases, senators already on trial, frozen assets, and 112 blacklisted firms. These actions follow the arrest of Senator Jinggoy Estrada in connection with a P573 million plunder case tied to flood control projects.

Connection to the Flood Control Corruption Scandal

The INC rally explicitly calls for accountability over the multibillion-peso flood control corruption scandal that has affected communities across Metro Manila and surrounding provinces. Ombudsman investigators currently examine eight additional House lawmakers for anomalies in these projects.

The scandal involves public funds meant for infrastructure that protects Filipino families from seasonal flooding in areas like Quezon City and Manila. Cases already filed have led to asset freezes and corporate blacklisting, yet residents in flood-prone barangays continue to face annual risks.

Senator Jinggoy Estrada's arrest over the P573 million case marks one concrete outcome of the probe. The INC's involvement amplifies calls from affected communities for faster resolution and recovery of misused funds.

Human Impact on Commuters and Daily Life

Commuters in Metro Manila endured severe delays on Tuesday morning after the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority closed White Plains Avenue and INC buses obstructed the EDSA busway. Jeepney drivers and office workers heading to jobs in Makati and Ortigas reported extended travel times that cut into family time and wages.

Students from universities near the EDSA Shrine faced disrupted classes as security forces secured the area. Sari-sari store owners along affected routes saw reduced foot traffic because residents avoided the heavy congestion during the morning rush hour.

The full alert deployment of 5,936 police officers across the National Capital Region, Regions 3, and 4A created visible checkpoints that slowed movement for ordinary citizens. Families relying on public transport for work in Baguio or Cebu-bound connections experienced cascading delays that affected remittances and household budgets.

What Comes Next for the Involved Parties

The Ombudsman will file plunder charges against Senator Rodante Marcoleta this week, setting the stage for legal proceedings that could influence the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte. The INC has signaled continued mobilization if accountability demands remain unmet.

Authorities will assess whether additional security deployments are needed at the Senate and other sites as the trial approaches next week. The Department of Transportation maintains that busway services will operate normally despite ongoing tensions.

Communities impacted by the flood control scandal await further arrests and asset recoveries from the eight House lawmakers under investigation. These outcomes will determine whether public trust in institutions like the Ombudsman and Congress improves in the coming months.