INC Rally Backs Duterte, Showcasing Political Clout

More than a million members of the influential religious sect, Iglesia ni Cristo (Church of Christ), gathered in Manila on Monday, January 13, to oppose moves to impeach Vice President Sara Duterte.

The crowd, clad in white shirts and carrying banners calling for unity, flocked to the city's Quirino Grandstand for the "national rally for peace." The powerful sect opposes the impeachment proceedings against Duterte, a former ally of President Ferdinand Marcos, in the House of Representatives.

"There are many more things which our citizens need that must be attended to. These will not be achieved if all we see taking place is conflict," church spokesman Edwil Zabala said ahead of the rally.

"Put the country first, not the disagreements."

"We are opposing the impeachment because that won't bring any good. That's useless for the country," the 23-year-old told AFP.

More than 5,000 officers were deployed for the event, regional police spokeswoman Myrna Diploma told AFP.

Duterte is facing three impeachment cases, which accuse her of misusing millions of dollars in public funds and of plotting to have Marcos assassinated. She has denied the allegations.

Marcos's executive secretary, Lucas Bersamin, described Monday's rally as "part of the national conversation." Similar events were held at a dozen locations across the country, the church's spokesman said.

Duterte thanked the INC for their "persistence to bring understanding and unity among the Filipino people."

"This (rally) is a powerful testament of unity and faith, with the intention to bring peace for the progress of the country," she said in a statement.

The INC, which is estimated to have more than two million members, carries significant weight in the Philippines because its members tend to vote as a block and it is often courted by politicians. The sect could decide the outcome of closely contested congressional and local government posts in mid-term elections on May 12.