MANILA, Philippines — Malacañang yesterday reiterated President Marcos’ opposition to moves to impeach Vice President Sara Duterte.
Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin made the statement when asked by journalists whether the peace rally of the Iglesia Ni Cristo (INC) last Monday “had any effect” on the President’s stance.
“The President’s position on the impeachment move in the (House of Representatives) has not changed,” Bersamin said in a statement sent to Palace reporters.
More than a million INC members gathered at a rally at the Quirino Grandstand in Manila to call for peace and unity amid steps to unseat the Vice President through impeachment.
The religious sect earlier said the peace rally was held to support Marcos’ rejection of calls to impeach the country’s second highest official.
Duterte is facing three impeachment cases, which accuse her of misusing millions in public funds and of plotting to have Marcos assassinated.
She has denied the allegations.
In November last year, Marcos said he does not support the impeachment of his former ally as it would not benefit the Filipino people.
“What will happen if somebody files an impeachment? It will tie down the House, it will tie down the Senate. It will just take up all our time and for what? For nothing, for nothing. None of this will help improve a single Filipino life,” the President said.
INC, estimated to have more than two million members, is known for its bloc voting and is often courted by politicians, especially during election season.
The religious group backed the Marcos-Duterte tandem in the 2022 general elections.
No comment
Malacañang yesterday also declined to comment on the Vice President’s remarks that she is “seriously considering” running for president in 2028.
“No statement here,” Presidential Communications Office Secretary Cesar Chavez said.
Duterte made the remarks during a meet-and-greet with overseas Filipino workers in Tokyo, Japan as part of her “private” trip to Japan over the weekend.
“What’s happening to the country now can no longer continue. We see the country continuously backsliding. I really believe our country can be great,” Duterte said when asked about her plans for 2028.
‘Rally won’t affect probe’
The massive INC rally last Monday will not affect the government’s investigation into Duterte’s supposed threat against Marcos’ life, Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla assured the public yesterday.
Remulla said that while INC members are free to express themselves and the government respects such freedom, he is “not concerned” about the religious sect’s supposed political influence, and the investigation will be immune from political pressure.
“I don’t think so. We just have to look at the law as something that equalizes everything between all of us. That’s why we cannot give special favors to people because of standing,” he told reporters when asked if the INC rally would affect the probe against Duterte.
Duterte’s announcement that she is “seriously considering” running for president in the 2028 elections is also a different matter, according to Remulla.
“It’s not an issue. The issue is whether or not a criminal act was committed. We have to look at it from the merits of the case or cases,” the justice secretary explained.
Nearly 1.8 million INC members flocked to the Quirino Grandstand last Monday to protest against the impeachment cases filed against Duterte.
While she did not attend the rally herself, the Vice President released a video statement saying that the protest was a “powerful way to show unity and cooperation by those seeking peace for the welfare of our nation.”
The religious sect said its gathering was not a political power play, but a call for unity, as they urged the two most powerful Filipino politicians to drop their fight and focus on important issues of the day.
The event was organized by INC supposedly to express their support for Marcos’ position opposing the Duterte’s impeachment.
Remulla said the NBI would submit to the Department of Justice its report on its investigation on Duterte’s threat “very soon.”
Prosecutor General Richard Fadullon earlier said the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) has already concluded its probe, but further evaluation on whether the case warrants a preliminary investigation is needed.
Fadullon added that they are sending prosecutors to evaluate the evidence filed with the NBI.
Duterte: Let’s unite under one flag
Former president Rodrigo Duterte on Monday called on every Filipino to unite under one flag in the face of crisis that the country is now facing.
Duterte made the call for unity amid INC’s massive peace rally held in various key parts in the country.
“I would like to thank Ka Eduardo Manalo and INC for organizing and mobilizing its members in today’s Prayer Rally for Peace. Let’s unite under our flag,” he said in a video posted on the FPRRD (Former President Rodrigo Roa Duterte) Supporters Facebook page.
“This is what our country needs in these critical times. Not impeachment. Not waste of government resources. Not self-serving schemes. Not divisive action. We must unite. We must move forward as one. We must serve our people,” Duterte said.
‘Rally shouldn’t cloud impeachment’
The size of INC’s recent peace rally, whether it was pro or against Duterte, should not cloud the House’s judgment on the impeachment complaint filed against the Vice President, former Bayan Muna representative Teddy Casiño said yesterday.
“The Iglesia ni Cristo rally notwithstanding, the House of Representatives is duty-bound to deliberate on the three impeachment complaints against VP Sara Duterte filed last month,” Casiño added.
The former legislator explained that members of the House will have to decide if Duterte betrayed public trust, committed culpable violation of the Constitution or engaged in bribery, graft and corruption or any other grounds for her impeachment, .
“The evidence that she did are all in the complaints. They know it. We know it. Even members of the INC know it,” Casiño said. — Daphne Galvez, Edith Regalado, Jose Rodel Clapano