January 14, 2025
Manila – On January 13, Manila witnessed one of the largest protests in recent memory, with nearly 1.8 million members of the influential Christian group Instituto Nacional de Cristo (INC) flocking to and around the Philippine capital’s historic Quirino Grandstand on the streets to protest against the impeachment trial against the President of the Philippines.
The group has 2.8 million followers and its members have held large demonstrations in 12 other cities, but attendance at those protests was unclear.
Analysts said the megachurch was showcasing strength in support of the embattled Duterte as his feud with his erstwhile ally President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. escalates.
Ms Duterte did not attend the late afternoon rally in Manila but released a video statement on her official Facebook page shortly after the event.
“This is a powerful way to demonstrate unity and cooperation by those who seek peace for the good of our country,” she said. “Thank you for loving our country.”
Several politicians aligned with her attended the rally. They include Senators Ronald de la Rosa, Bongo and Robin Padilla; Representative Rodante Marcoleta, an INC member who represents anti-poverty organization Sagip in Congress; and a number of local officials.
Also attending the rally was Senator Francis Tolentino, a former ally of Ms Duterte who later switched his support to Mr Marcos.
The INC holds significant political influence in the Philippines as it is known for its block voting during elections.
Candidates often court church leaders to gain their support.
The Philippines is scheduled to hold midterm elections in May.
In the 2022 presidential election, the INC supported the now-broken pairing of Mr. Marcos and Ms. Duterte, who campaigned together on a platform of unity.
Protesters said the Jan. 13 rally was not a political rally but a call for unity as they urged the Philippines' two most powerful politicians to abandon their fight and focus on the day's important issues.
“We want our government to be united. Focus on solving national problems first, not impeaching one of our own leaders.
Many of the protesters who gathered in Manila came from surrounding provinces, traveling in vans and buses provided by church leaders.
Some arrived in the early hours of January 13 and slept in tents and on mats at Rizal Park, where the main stand is located.
Protesters wore white shirts emblazoned with the official National Peace Rally logo and held placards with messages such as “Peace, not politics” and “Service, not self-interest.”
Several cities in various provinces had to suspend schools and close major roads in response to the protests.
Just days ago, a survey by local pollster Social Weather Stations showed that 41% of Filipinos support three impeachment cases against Ms. Duterte by the end of 2024, with 35% opposed and 19% not yet Decide.
The impeachment case brought by various civil society groups stems from a House of Representatives investigation into which Ms Duterte is accused of misusing billions of public funds.
Ms. Duterte has denied the accusations, but she also shocked the country in November 2024 when she issued an assassination threat against the president.
Mr. Marcos distanced himself from the recall effort backed by House allies, calling it a “storm in a teacup.”
Church spokesman Edwil Zabala told The Straits Times that the INC leadership sent a subtle message at the rally: they supported Mr Marcos' decision not to support Ms Duterte's impeachment.
“This is what we stand for: putting the well-being of our country and our fellow citizens first,” he said.
“Divisions do exist but we hope that peaceful and decent relations between everyone can be restored.”
Political analyst Jean Encinas-Franco told The Straits Times that the Congress party's stance allows the church to take a stand without having to confront the Marcos or Duterte camps.
But she said it puts the vice president in a strong position, which is crucial as the official campaign period for the May midterm elections begins in a month.
“On the face of it, this means that Sarah anticipates she has support from this group, which is often courted by politicians during elections,” Dr. Franco said.
But she doubted the rally itself would be enough to sway more Filipinos to oppose Ms Duterte's impeachment, noting that the INC's voting influence is limited to its members.
However, if the INC's massive rallies succeed in boosting support for Ms Duterte in the coming weeks, it could change her relationship with the president, said Robin Garcia, a political analyst at WR Numero Research, a think tank in Manila. The power dynamics of the struggle.
“It's a battle of narratives,” Dr. Garcia said. “If Ms. Duterte succeeds (in gaining more public sympathy), Marcos' support may decline in the 2025 elections.
“But if the opposite happens, that would show her weakness and she could actually be impeached later.”
- Mara Cepeda is the Philippines correspondent for The Straits Times.
