Marcos to proceed with Canada trip despite Iglesia Ni Cristo rally at EDSA — Palace

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. will push through with his scheduled visit to Canada despite the ongoing Iglesia Ni Cristo (INC) rally in EDSA, Quezon City, Malacañang said Wednesday.

Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said the President sees no reason to cancel the trip because it had long been scheduled and the issues being raised by rally participants do not fall under the Executive’s authority.

She noted that while some protesters have expressed support for Sen. Rodante Marcoleta, any complaint against the senator is under the jurisdiction of the Office of the Ombudsman.

“Hindi po makakatugon ang Pangulo patungkol diyan dahil iba pong usapin ’yan at ang reklamo na iniharap sa kanya ay hindi naman po hawak ng ehekutibo, hawak po ito ng Ombudsman.” (The President cannot intervene because that is a separate matter. The complaint against him is not under the Executive but under the Ombudsman.)

Castro said Marcos will not suspend official work because of unverified reports of possible destabilization efforts.

“Hindi po magpapahinto ang Pangulo sa kanyang pagtatrabaho para sa (taumbayan).” (The President will not stop working for the Filipino people.)

She added that the administration continues to respect the INC leadership and does not believe the group is behind any destabilization efforts.

During the visit to Canada, Marcos is expected to pursue agreements and discussions covering energy, natural resources, trade and investment, labor and migration, tourism, and culture and the arts.

The President is also scheduled to meet with Canadian business leaders involved in mining, information technology and business process management, telecommunications, nuclear energy, and financial services, Castro said. — RSJ, GMA News