Thousands of Iglesia ni Cristo (INC) members are set to gather at the Quirino Grandstand from November 16 to 18 for a three-day “Rally for Transparency and a Better Democracy,” calling for government accountability.
Ronaldo Sabuco, an INC member from Caloocan City, said they joined in solidarity with church leadership amid alleged irregularities in government projects.
“Makikipagkaisa kami sa panawagan ng pamamahala namin tungkol sa nangyaring nakawan sa gobyerno,” he said.
(We are joining the leadership’s call about the corruption happening in government)
Sabuco emphasized their direct appeal to national leaders to ensure transparency.
“Sa pangulo natin, panawagan ko lang [ay] atasan niyang utusan yung mga magaayos o mag-iimbestiga ng mga nangyayari na ito na transparency niya sa buong Pilipinas yung gagawin nilang pag-iimbestiga.”
(To our President, my call is to order the people investigating corruption to make sure there is transparency in the entire Philippines)
He clarified that members attended voluntarily. “Kusang loob namin ’to na pupunta kami rito.”
For many, the rally is a call for unity amid national issues.
“Sobra na kasing gulo e. Magkaisa tayo. Ituwid natin kung ano ba yung nangyayari,” Sabuco said.
(It has become too chaotic, we need to unite. Let’s correct whatever happened)
Kaze Lorraine Rubinos, also from Caloocan City, added the event aims to promote transparency in government.
“Para po sa pagkakaisa naming Iglesia ni Cristo para maging transparent yung mga problema ng bansa sa publiko,” she said.
Authorities have deployed police and closed surrounding roads, including Quirino Grandstand, Mendiola Street, Liwasang Bonifacio, and Ayala Bridge.
A parallel protest by United People’s Initiative, composed of retired military officers, is expected to draw around 300,000 attendees at the People Power Monument in Quezon City.
