Mammoth rally

The mammoth rally at the Luneta last Jan. 13, 2025 has become a watershed in the history of post-EDSA Philippines. An estimated 1.8 million Filipinos from all walks of life across the country heeded the call of the Iglesia ni Cristo (INC) for peace amid the poisonous politics engulfing the nation.

The INC had maintained that there was nothing political about the occasion, adding that the rally was an expression of support for PBBM’s stance against the impeachment of Vice President Inday Sara Duterte.

To recall, Marcos Jr. said, and I quote, “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 improve a single Filipino life.”

These remarks have been quoted many times in the messages of the speakers during the INC event. 

The highlight of the INC National Rally for Peace was the speech of the unbowed Sagip Party-list Rep. Rodante Marcoleta, who previously was kicked out from five House panels, including the powerful Commission on Appointments – a price he has to pay for calling out fellow lawmakers for not giving courtesy to the Office of the Vice President.  

The highlights of Marcoleta’s speech on the VP’s impeachment are as follows: 

One, impeachment is a waste of government’s time and will also hinder the resolution of the country’s major problems, such as high commodity prices, infrastructure, medical services, criminality, security and others.

Two, advancing the impeachment will only end up in losing, taking sides, not only of the people but also of the government officials. 

Three, when the country is troubled, the people are poor.

Rep. Marcoleta likewise took the Jan. 13 occasion to lambast the House of Representatives quad committee and committee on good government on the manner they conducted their inquiries, acting both as prosecutor and judge in their harsh interrogation of resource persons when none of the committee chairmen had studied law. I thank Rep. Marcoleta for underscoring and explaining these abuses committed by this Kangaroo Court in front of millions. Our people have been enlightened. 

INC, no doubt, is a good show of force. The religious sect flexed its muscle, demonstrated its strength and showed to the world that People Power is alive in the Philippines. What is simply needed is to light the torch and fan the flames. 

The handwriting of the INC mammoth rally is now written on the wall. As political analyst Malou Tiquia, who was my guest last Jan. 13 in the Kongreso ng Mamamayang Pilipino aired on my Facebook account and YouTube Channel, said, “If you are reading it wrong, you will bear the brunt. If you read it correctly, the country is better off.”

The question is: did the Marcos Jr. administration and their ilk read it correctly? 

The answer is YES, but the action is too little too late. 

The lack of peace is attributed to one man. And he is not AKO Bicol party-list Rep. Zaldy Co, who was unceremoniously sacked in his position as appropriations committee chair– a belated recognition of Co’s powerful role in the bastardization of the budget and the hijacking of the nation’s money, which drew widespread public uproar in the country. 

Co is certainly not the cause of the current political turmoil. 

The root of it all is no other than the president’s cousin and childhood best friend, Martin Romualdez. 

Having said this, the Marcos Jr. administration knows what to do to restore peace in the land but has not acted accordingly.  

We all know the reason. Only someone living under the rock cannot see this: united the Marcos-Araneta-Romualdez triumvirate stands in ruining the country. 

We have a President who continues to live in his own fantasyland because of his alleged cocaine use, a First Lady who is said to be making the decisions and a cousin who reportedly controls the nation’s money. 

The question, now, will INC and our people accept the fact that the objective of the Jan. 13 mammoth rally was not met as the pursuit of peace continues to remain elusive? 

Remember, INC gave a warning shot: the interests of INC are aligned with the people, and the political elite should seriously take note.

INC’s ability to mobilize millions with no entertainment celebrity in attendance is an apparent forewarning that INC has the numbers to influence political outcomes.  

The success of any people power movement, as I said in my two previous columns, lies with the people. We have seen the mammoth crowd last Monday, Jan. 13, and we fully know that history can repeat itself.  

Will Filipinos put a stop to the greatest political budol of the 21st century and say enough is enough of this high addiction to power? 

Poverty is at its all-time high in 21 years and hunger is at worst since the COVID-19 lockdown under a Chief Executive whose satisfaction rating tumbled to its lowest since he assumed the highest office in 2022.

Another question: will the military move and side with the people?

We cannot downplay the pivotal role of the military in the mass mobilization of people. It has long been widely accepted that regime change requires the acquiescence of the military.

What does the future of my beloved Philippines hold?  

The questions seem endless. But as they say, only time will tell. Papunta na tayo sa exciting part. Abangan ang susunod na kabanata.