The Iglesia ni Cristo (INC) is set to hold nationwide rallies in response to impeachment complaints filed against Vice President Sara Duterte. The religious group announced their plans through its media outlet NET25.
“Ang mga kapatid sa Iglesia ay naghahanda na magsagawa po ng rally,” said Gen Subardiaga, host of Sa Ganang Mamamayan, in a December 4 broadcast. He added that the INC supports President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.’s stance against the impeachment cases, emphasizing the President’s claim that such proceedings are “not important” and “won’t make any difference to even one single Filipino life.”
The INC, known for its bloc voting power and millions of members across 7,000 congregations, had endorsed the Marcos-Duterte tandem during the 2022 elections. Subardiaga highlighted the group’s commitment to peace, stating, “Ang Iglesia ni Cristo po ay para sa kapayapaan. Ayaw po natin sa anumang uri ng kaguluhan na manggagaling sa kaninumang panig.”
The impeachment cases against Duterte stem from allegations of fund misuse during her tenure as vice president and secretary of the Department of Education. Civil society groups, teachers, and former lawmakers accuse her of corruption, misconduct, and betrayal of public trust. Critics pointed to the questionable liquidation of P125 million in confidential funds over 11 days in 2022.
Additionally, Duterte has drawn public and official scrutiny following a Zoom press conference in which she alleged corruption within the Marcos administration and admitted to contracting a hitman to retaliate against the President, First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos, and Speaker Martin Romualdez if her life were threatened. Malacañang has since referred the matter to the Presidential Security Command for action, emphasizing the seriousness of the threat.
Duterte, however, dismissed the administration’s claims as “farce” and an “imagined” security concern. She skipped a National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) hearing regarding the threat allegations on November 29.
