Bets warned: Don鈥檛 use聽INC rally聽to campaign
MANILA, Philippines — The Commission on Elections (Comelec) urged politicians running in the midterm polls to avoid being “epal” (attention seeker) and to refrain from using the Iglesia ni Cristo’s (INC) “National Rally for Peace” on Monday as a platform for premature campaigning.
“We hope that you do not use this religious activity for your political gain. Let us respect the goals of this activity. Politicians who respect religious faith will be blessed,” Comelec Chair George Garcia said on Sunday in a radio interview on dzBB.
“Do not abuse the kindness of the faithful. Do not be ‘epal,’” he added. “If chaos ensues because of you and a disqualification case is filed against you, the Comelec will not be stopped [from taking you] out of the race.”
READ: Survey on VP Duterte’s impeachment reflects public outrage – lawmakers
According to Garcia, while the Comelec would not monitor the rally out of respect for its “religious nature,” he urged politicians to show restraint.
Article continues after this advertisement“You may circumvent the law because you are not yet official candidates, but we know that you know what is right from wrong,” he said.
Article continues after this advertisementThe Comelec has set the official campaign period for the May 12 elections from Feb. 11 to May 10 for those running for senator and party list representative, and from March 28 to May 10 for those vying for local posts. There is no law, however, prohibiting premature campaigning.
Politicians eagerly court the support of the INC every election because its members are known to vote as a bloc. It is the third-largest religious group in the country with 2.8 million members, based on a 2000 government census.
Crowd estimate
At least a million people are expected to join the event to be held at Quirino Grandstand which was organized by the INC in support of President Marcos’ opposition to moves to remove from office his “UniTeam” running mate, Vice President Sara Duterte.
The Vice President is facing three impeachment complaints in the House of Representatives. The INC endorsed the political tandem of Marcos and Duterte in the 2022 elections.
Similar rallies will also be held in other areas nationwide by the INC which has instructed its members to “refrain from shouting or mentioning names of politicians.” It said the gatherings should not favor or oppose any individual and just focus on unity and peace.
There were no details from the INC or its media outlets about what would happen at the Quirino Grandstand rally, including who were expected to speak. Some members only said the program proper would be held from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Around 1,300 personnel from the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority have been deployed to manage traffic flow in the area which will be secured by around 4,400 police officers and some 1,100 soldiers, Philippine Coast Guard and Bureau of Fire Protection personnel.
Sara in Japan
On Sunday, the pro-Duterte Sonshine Media Network International (SMNI) posted on X (formerly Twitter) photos showing the Vice President having an “intimate meet and greet” with Filipinos in Tokyo.
Her office has yet to issue any official statement about her visit, saying only it was more of a “personal trip.”
In the SMNI post, when asked by someone off screen if she was running in 2028, Duterte replied, “We are seriously considering that,” as her supporters applauded and cheered.
At the House of Representatives, a lawmaker called the INC gathering a “calculated move” to protect Duterte against answering allegations she misused P612.5 million in confidential funds issued to her office and the Department of Education, which she used to head.
“Millions of Filipinos supporting the impeachment want justice and accountability, not political theatrics. There’s no genuine peace without justice,” Deputy Minority Leader France Castro said.
For Assistant Majority Leader Jude Acidre, the recent Social Weather Stations (SWS) and Pulse Asia surveys showed the public has had enough of “Duterte-style politics.”
Based on the results of the SWS survey, 41 percent of Filipinos supported Duterte’s impeachment while the Pulse Asia survey said 61 percent of Filipinos backed the House quad committee’s inquiry into the previous administration’s drug war.
“The surveys prove it: Filipinos are ready for leaders who put the public’s welfare front and center. It’s time for leaders to listen to the people,” Acidre said. —with reports from Dempsey Reyes and Jeannette I. Andrade
