INC protest: Government did right

The five-day Iglesia ni Cristo protest started in front of the DOJ office in Manila last Thursday, then spilled over to the EDSA intersection in Quezon City on Friday which aggravated the traffic along the stretch of EDSA from White Plains in Quezon City to Shaw Boulevard-Mandaluyong up to the Guadalupe-Makati area. To the great relief of many whose schedules were affected by the resulting gridlocks, the protest rally ended last Monday after a dialogue with the INC leadership was initiated by the administration. The P-Noy administration did what was right for the “greater good of the greater number of people” especially those affected by the monstrous traffic.

Whether rumors of a deal is true or not, the important thing is that a dialogue was initiated to end the impasse caused by the protest rallies. Whatever happens now, the rule of law must still prevail. After all, whether there is merit to the charges filed by the ex-minister against the leadership of the Iglesia ni Cristo will eventually be decided solely by the courts and no one else.

Not surprisingly, opinion is divided with some saying the religious sect had no right to stage a rally in EDSA (and at the People Power shrine, too) because it aggravated the already hellish traffic conditions in Metro Manila as other major arteries were affected. On the other hand, some people – a number of them politicians like Senator Chiz Escudero – are also right in pointing out the people’s right to freedom of assembly must be respected as long as the local government units give them the necessary permits which was legitimately given. INC secured permits from the Mandaluyong and Manila City governments for their protest.

But as rightly pointed out by some readers, the Catholic Church also holds activities that affect the traffic situation in many parts of Metro Manila, for instance the yearly Black Nazarene procession. When Pope Francis visited last January, traffic literally stopped in many parts of Metro Manila where the papal convoy passed, but members of non-Catholic religious sects like the Iglesia ni Cristo did not complain about the traffic. As explained by some politicians, as legislators they want to see to it that the rights of every person or organization to peaceful assembly and seek redress for grievances are protected.

Let’s face the fact there are really religious groups that are powerful in this country whether we like it or not.  Thankfully, the CBCP has also stepped in to appeal to Catholics not to fan the flames of resentment against the INC, asking the people to “be kind in disposition, respectful in speech and prudent in action,” and to refrain from making inflammatory statements that would only aggravate the tension.

People may disagree but we are of the opinion the Aquino administration did right in holding a dialogue with the INC to immediately end the protest action. The bottom line is the government did what was best for the people. In any case, it’s now back to work for Justice Secretary Leila De Lima who has assured there is no bias against the religious group, or “nagtratabaho lang po” as she said. Whether she continues her work at the DOJ or goes ahead with her run for the Senate is really up to her – since she has until October 16 to decide.

Businessmen are happy the crisis is over because of the tremendous economic losses incurred due to traffic, estimated by the Japan International Cooperation Agency at P2.4 billion per day but the amount could zoom to P6 billion in 2030, if the traffic problem is not resolved.

We are glad to see the President finally using his powers to solve the traffic gridlocks in main arteries along EDSA from Balintawak to Cubao, Ortigas, Shaw Boulevard and Guadalupe, and solve the congestion in these choke points. He has ordered the deployment of the PNP’s Highway Patrol Group as lead agency in enforcing traffic particularly on EDSA, with the MMDA, the LTO and the LTFRB as support groups.

Motorists and commuters are happy to hear  there will be strict enforcement of traffic laws, making people expect that psycho bus drivers would be apprehended if they so much as veer away from designated lanes or stay longer than the prescribed time along bus stops. As some long-suffering motorists commented, it’s about time we have political will to strictly implement the traffic laws. The government is beginning to exercise political will in trying to solve the gargantuan traffic problem that has become a nightmare for everybody whether Catholic, Protestant, INC, yellow ribbon, red ribbon or orange ribbon.

World’s biggest tycoons at Forbes Global CEO conference in Manila

For the first time ever, the Forbes Global CEO conference will be held in Manila from Oct. 12-14. This is a major event that will gather some 400 of the world’s most successful tycoons, entrepreneurs, and CEOs who will discuss and debate key global issues.  

The Forbes conference, which is now on its 15th year, has so far 43 confirmed speakers from around the world – which includes big names in Philippine business like Tessie Sy Coson, Ricky Razon, Ramon Ang, Jaime Augusto Zobel, former senator now “balik-businessman” Manny Villar – will share their thoughts on how companies can drive their businesses forward as well as other topics such as the world economy, investment strategies, energy, technology and innovation, emerging markets, leadership, succession and philanthropy. We’re told Manny Pangilinan was also invited but has not confirmed yet.

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