No gov鈥檛 work, classes in two cities Jan. 13 due to INC rally
INQUIRER FILE PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines — Malacañang has suspended work in government offices and classes in all school levels in Manila and Pasay City on Monday, Jan. 13, in anticipation of the Iglesia ni Cristo’s (INC) “National Rally for Peace.”
INC earlier said the rally, which will be simultaneously held not just in Metro Manila but also in several cities nationwide, would be in support of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s call made in November last year discouraging his congressional allies from pursuing the impeachment of Vice President Sara Duterte.
The Palace issued Memorandum Circular No. 76 declaring the suspension “in view of the numerous participants” expected to travel to the two cities for the rally and to “allow for the organized conduct of the event.”
Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin signed the directive on Friday by authority of the President.
But government agencies involved in the delivery of health services, disaster response and other vital functions will continue their operations on Monday.
Article continues after this advertisementThe Palace left the suspension of work in the private sector to the discretion of individual companies.
Article continues after this advertisementMMDA expects 1M
Earlier, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority announced the closure of several roads near Quirino Grandstand in Manila, where the INC will hold the main rally.
The MMDA also said it was expecting up to a million people to attend.
On. Nov. 29 last year, Mr. Marcos dissuaded his allies in Congress from pursuing any impeachment complaint against Duterte, who had become openly hostile to the President and his allies, especially in the House of Representatives.
The President then likened their political rift to a mere “storm in a teacup” and described any impeachment move against Duterte as a waste of time that would just ‘’tie down’’ Congress without accomplishing anything to improve Filipino lives.
Duterte had denounced last year’s congressional inquiries — mainly into her use of confidential funds as Vice President and when she served for two years as education secretary — as politically motivated and designed to undermine her chances in the 2028 presidential race.
Since Dec. 2, 2024, despite the Presidents’ call, three impeachment complaints have been filed against the Vice President, basing the accusations on the House probe findings.
Opposed to ‘disturbance’
Aside from Metro Manila, INC rallies are expected to be held on Monday in Legazpi (Albay), Ilagan (Isabela), and Puerto Princesa (Palawan) in Luzon; Cebu, Iloilo, and Bacolod (Negros Occidental) in the Visayas; and Davao, Pagadian (Zamboanga del Sur), Butuan (Agusan del Norte), and Cagayan de Oro (Misamis Oriental) in Mindanao.
The religious group announced its plan to hold the rallies on Dec. 4.
“The members of the [INC] are preparing to hold a rally to express their support of the stance of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. against the impeachment being pushed by certain sectors because there are more pressing problems that the country is facing that should be prioritized by the government,” said Gen Subardiaga, host of “Sa Ganang Mamamayan,” a show on the INC broadcast network Net25.
“The [INC] is for peace. We oppose any form of disturbance coming from any side,” Subardiaga added.
With 2.8 million members known for voting as a bloc, INC is the third-largest religious group in the country, according to the government census in 2020. Roman Catholics predominate with over 85 million, followed by nearly 7 million Muslims.
