INC: Luneta rally calls for concrete actions vs corruption, not gov't downfall

The three-day protest organized by the Iglesia Ni Cristo (INC) is focused on demanding concrete actions against corruption, particularly linked to anomalous flood control projects, and is not aimed at the downfall of the government, church officials said on Sunday.

Bienvenido Santiago Jr., INC general evangelist, clarified that the protest targets corrupt individuals, not the government as an institution.

“Gusto naming maging maliwanag sa lahat, hindi po natin hinahangad ang pagbagsak ng ating pamahalaan bilang institusyon… Ang nais natin ay ang pagbagsak ng katiwalian. Ang nais natin ay ang pagtataguyod ng isang pamahalaang tapat at makamamamayan,” he said.

(We want it to be clear to everyone, we are not seeking the downfall of our government as an institution. What we want is the downfall of corruption and the promotion of an honest, pro-people government.)

Santiago made the pronouncement in front of an estimated 650,000 participants who filled the Quirino Grandstand on the first day of the rally on Sunday.

Protesters wore white shirts emblazoned with “Transparency For A Better Democracy” on the front, while the back highlighted the words “Transparency” and “Accountability.”

Thousands of attendees chanted slogans including “Hustisya!”, “Ilantad!”, and “Panagutin!”

Santiago added: “Yung masasamang pinuno, yung mga tiwaling opisyal, ayan ang dapat alisin…hindi po yung pamahalaang gumagarantiya sa kalayaan ng mga mamamayan. Kaya mga kababayan, malinaw ang ating pinaninindigan.”

(The bad leaders, the corrupt officials, those are the ones who should be removed—not the government that guarantees citizens’ freedoms. Our stand is clear.)

Santiago reiterated that the INC is calling for accountability, not to harm anyone’s reputation or sow chaos:

“Hindi tayo laban sa maayos na pamahalaan, tayo ay laban sa katiwalian…Hangga’t hindi natutunton at hindi napapanagot ang mga mastermind sa korapsyon, itutuloy ang ating pagmamatsyag at pananawagan sa mapayapang paraan.”

(We are not against an orderly government, we are against corruption. Until the masterminds of corruption are tracked down and held accountable, we will continue our vigilance and peaceful appeals.)

The group is also urging the government to take concrete steps to address corruption.

“Nanawagan tayo sa mga nasa pamahalaan…Ayaw na natin ng mga salita at pangakong walang laman. Konkretong hakbang ang kailangan para ibangon ang dangal ng ating mahal na bansa,” Santiago said.

(We are calling on the government to take concrete steps. We no longer want empty promises. Concrete action is needed to restore the dignity of our country.)

He warned that failure to implement transparency, accountability, justice, and peace would further harm the economy, affecting communities and families.

Meanwhile, INC spokesperson Edwin Zabala denounced what he described as a “cover-up” in the ongoing corruption investigation.

“Mga kababayan, saan kayo nakakita na ‘yung tumutulong sa imbestigasyon para mapalitaw ang puno’t dulo ng katakot-takot na nakawan sa gobyerno ang siya pang sinisiraan,” he said, without naming whom he was referring to.

(My countrymen, where have you ever seen someone helping an investigation uncover the very root of massive government plunder be the one getting maligned?)

“Hindi naman masyadong halata na concerted effort ang mga ito,” Zabala added, tongue-in-cheek.

(It’s not too obvious that these are part of a coordinated effort.).

The protest is open not only to INC members but also to citizens calling out government corruption.

Former Nueva Ecija Vice Governor Emmanuel Umali emphasized the rally’s non-partisan stance: “Hindi ako naniniwala na partisan, sapagkat lahat naman po pinapakinggan, wala pong pinapanigan. Doon lang po tayo sa tama.”

(I don’t believe it is partisan; everyone is heard and no one is favored. We are only for what is right.)

Tents have been set up along T.M. Kalaw to Luneta Park, with some protesters disclosing plans of camping overnight. Vendors have lined the sidewalks selling food, mats, umbrellas, and shirts.

Manila Mayor Isko Moreno Domagoso announced that three sports complexes—San Andres, Delpan, and Dapitan—will be open to accommodate overnight stayers.

He also confirmed that face-to-face classes are suspended at all levels during the three-day protest. — MCG/BM, GMA Integrated News