LIVE UPDATES: Iglesia Ni Cristo rally at Liwasang Bonifacio (July 2, 2026)

The Iglesia Ni Cristo has ended the three-day rally that it held while expressing support for Sen. Rodante Marcoleta, whom the Ombudsman said was about to be charged with plunder in connection with P75 million in campaign contributions that he chose not to declare in his Statement of Campaign Expenditures.

The first two days were held at the EDSA People Power Monument at White Plains Avenue in Quezon City from June 30 to July 1, which led to heavy traffic. The third and last day was moved to Liwasang Bonifacio in Manila on Thursday after the Quezon City government revoked their permit. 

Some roads in Manila were closed Thursday morning due to the Iglesia Ni Cristo rally at Liwasang Bonifacio.

The following areas will be closed starting 4 am:

CRB MENDIOLA
Stretch of C. M. Recto Ave. from Nicanor Reyes St. - Mendiola St.
Stretch of Legarda St. from Figueras St. - San Rafael St.

LIWASANG BONIFACIO (4am onwards)
Stretch of Magallanes Drive from Jones Bridge - MacArthur Bridge

AYALA BRIDGE (4am onwards)

Eastbound lane of Ayala Blvd. from San Marcelino St. - Romualdez St.

Several groups are starting to gather at Liwasang Bonifacio in Manila on Thursday for the third day of the Iglesia Ni Cristo (INC) rally. 

The crowd estimate in the area is 350 early Thursday, according to Bam Alegre's report on Unang Balita, citing the Manila Police District (MPD).

Authorities expect the number to grow throughout the day as those who attended the previous rally in EDSA will head to Manila after the Quezon City government decided not to extend their permit to hold a protest at the EDSA-White Plains area/

Manila Mayor Isko Moreno announced that classes are suspended in the city due to the expected protest rally by the Iglesia Ni Cristo members that will be held on Thursday, July 2, 2026.

"In light of the expected transfer of the Iglesia ni Cristo (INC) protest to Liwasang Bonifacio in the City of Manila, I am announcing the suspension of classes in all levels, both public and private, today, Thursday, 2 July 2026," Moreno said in a social media post.

Earlier, Manila City Administrator Atty. Eduardo "Wardee" P. Quintos XIV announced that permits are not required for protest rallies that will be held in Liwasang Bonifacio.

"Liwasang Bonifacio is a government-designated Freedom Park. As such, the Iglesia ni Cristo (INC) does not need to secure a permit to assemble peacefully in the area," he said.

The members of Iglesia Ni Cristo do not have to secure a permit to assemble at the Liwasang Bonifacio in Manila, according to Manila City Administrator.

"Liwasang Bonifacio is a government-designated Freedom Park. As such, the Iglesia ni Cristo (INC) does not need to secure a permit to assemble peacefully in the area," said Atty. Eduardo "Wardee" P. Quintos XIV in a statement.

The statement was issued following reports that the protestors who assemble at the People's Power Monument in the past two days are moving to Liwasang Bonifacio.

The protest action of the Iglesia Ni Cristo (INC) will continue at the Liwasang Bonifacio in Manila on Thursday, July 2 after the Quezon City government revoked their permit extension to stage their rally at EDSA-White Plains area.

According to Jamie Santos’ report in “Saksi” on Wednesday, the protesters ended their program at 8 p.m. in accordance with the permit given to them earlier by the Quezon City government. Participants were also told to clean the area and bring their trash before leaving the premises.

An INC minister told the protesters that the rally will be held at Liwasang Bonifacio on Thursday as the area does not require a permit to stage a program there.