LIVE UPDATES: Iglesia ni Cristo rally (July 1, 2026)

Malacañang appealed Wednesday to the leadership of the Iglesia Ni Cristo (INC) to ensure that its ongoing rally is not used by groups seeking to destabilize the government.

In a press briefing, Palace Press Officer Undersecretary Claire Castro said the administration respects the integrity of the INC leadership and does not believe the religious group's objective is to remove President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. from office.

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.)

The Philippine National Police on Wednesday said it is not considering dispersing the ongoing Iglesia ni Cristo gathering at the EDSA People Power Monument even if its rally permit expires Wednesday night.

In an interview on Balitanghali, Police Major General Anthony Aberin, National Capital Region Police Office chief, said the permit issued by the Quezon City Government is valid only until 8 p.m., but noted that it carries a provision allowing for renewal.

Ateneo de Manila University on Wednesday implemented special class arrangements for higher education students in anticipation of traffic disruptions caused by the ongoing Iglesia Ni Cristo gathering near the EDSA People Power Monument.

In an advisory, the university said it expects “significant traffic disruptions” along major roads leading to its Quezon City campus, including EDSA, Ortigas Avenue, and Katipunan Extension/White Plains Avenue.

The four individuals arrested during Tuesday's rally near the EDSA People Power Monument have been released, National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) spokesperson Police Major Hazel Asilo said Wednesday.

In a report on "Balitanghali," Asilo said the bus driver involved in the incident in which a female police officer was injured was released after the officer decided not to file a complaint.

The three other individuals were also released but remain under further investigation.

Pushing and shoving broke out between police and some rally participants on Tuesday, with authorities alleging that officers were punched during the confrontation. However, some participants denied the allegations, insisting that those arrested had done nothing wrong.

The Iglesia Ni Cristo (INC) may be allowed to extend its gathering at the EDSA People Power Monument if organizers comply with conditions set by the Quezon City government, a local official said Wednesday.

According to Jun Veneracion's report on "Balitanghali," Quezon City Department of Public Order and Safety (QC-DPOS) head Elmo San Diego said the INC had originally applied for a permit to hold the rally until Friday.

However, the city government approved only a one-day permit, from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Wednesday.

San Diego said the permit could still be extended if organizers continue to comply with the conditions imposed by the local government.

The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority said Wednesday that the three lanes of EDSA northbound and southbound are now fully passable to traffic.

In an advisory, the MMDA said the concrete barriers along EDSA northbound from Corinthian Gardens to White Plains have been adjusted, as have the barriers along EDSA southbound.

It added that the bus that previously obstructed the road has also been removed. 

Ateneo de Manila University on Wednesday implemented special class arrangements for higher education students in anticipation of traffic disruptions caused by the ongoing Iglesia Ni Cristo gathering near the EDSA People Power Monument.

In an advisory, the university said it expects “significant traffic disruptions” along major roads leading to its Quezon City campus, including EDSA, Ortigas Avenue, and Katipunan Extension/White Plains Avenue.

“Balancing our commitment to rigorous academic formation with practical care for our community, the following arrangements will be implemented today, Wednesday, July 1, 2026,” the advisory read.

The university said classes scheduled from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. may shift to online, asynchronous or other alternative learning modes, subject to the discretion of faculty members.

Under the advisory, undergraduate and graduate classes will generally continue onsite, with students expected to inform their instructors if demonstrations or traffic congestion prevent them from reaching campus.

The permit for the ongoing EDSA rally by the Iglesia ni Cristo may be canceled if organizers commit violations and become disorderly, according to an official of the Quezon City government.

“Organized na ’yung kanilang (Iglesia Ni Cristo) rally at inilipat na natin silang lahat sa White Plains Avenue. Hindi kagaya kahapon na nasarado ang EDSA. Ang usapan ngayon, kapag nangyari ulit iyon, ide-deny natin, ika-cancel natin ’yung permit,” said Quezon City Department of Public Order and Safety (QC-DPOS) head Ret. Gen. Elmo San Diego.

(Their rally is now organized, and we have transferred all of them to White Plains Avenue. Unlike yesterday, EDSA is no longer closed. Our agreement now is that if that happens again, we will deny or cancel the permit.)

The second day of Iglesia ni Cristo rally at the EDSA People Power Monument in Quezon City set on Wednesday may have more attendees, according to the National Capital Region
Police Office (NCRPO).

"Posible pong maabot yung dami tulad kahapon at dahil meron na silang permit, baka mas marami na po silang miyembro na dumalo," said NCRPO spokesperson Police Major Hazel Asilo in an interview on Unang Balita.

(It's possible to reach the same number as yesterday and since they already have a permit, they might have more members attending.)

The crowd estimate ON Tuesday at the People Power Monument peaked at around 15,500.