Iglesia ni Cristo protests to test De Lima’s resolve ahead of 2016

The Iglesia ni Cristo's massive demonstrations against the Department of Justice's investigation of illegal detention and other charges filed against the religious group's leaders is expected to test the mettle of Justice Secretary Leila De Lima, a presumptive senatorial candidate in next year's polls.

“It's a show of force not para sa [government destablization]. Wala naman silang magagawa para itapon ang gobyerno. Hindi rin nila mapapaalis si Secretary de Lima. Pero warning yan sa lahat ng politicians kanino ba kayo papanig,” Ateneo School of Governance Dean Dr. Antonio La Viña said.

Hundreds of Iglesia ni Cristo members started staging rallies in front of the Department of Justice in Manila on Thursday to protest De Lima's supposed meddling in their internal affairs.

On Friday afternoon, the members started to make their presence felt on EDSA.

By Friday evening the Manila rally dispersed and the protesters marched to join those on EDSA by Friday night.

De Lima is presumed to be running for a seat in the Senate in next year's elections.

La Viña suggested that instead of backing down, De Lima should stand her ground since her actions on the case have a legal basis.

“Titingalain siya ng karamihan kahit yung mga ayaw sa kanya,” he said.

Meanwhile, Political Analyst Prof. Poppy de Vera said there was nothing new with what the Iglesia ni Cristo was doing.

“It's a democratic mechanism. Siguro kaya nababahala ang iba dahil may reputasyon ang Iglesia ni Cristo na marami sila,” De Vera said.

The Iglesia ni Cristo is known to be influential especially during the election period with their block voting system.

According to an SWS survey, 70 to 80 percent of the Iglesia's members vote for those endorsed by the leadership.

President Benigno Aquino III and his predecessors Gloria Macapagal Arroyo and Joseph Ejercito Estrada were all endorsed by the Iglesia ni Cristo. —Andrei Medina/NB, GMA News