Palace hopeful INC peace rally to bring clarity, consensus on issues

Malacañang expressed hope Monday that the “National Rally for Peace” of Iglesia Ni Cristo would bring clarity to the issues that the country faces at present. 

In a statement, Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin said that to peaceable assemble is a “bedrock right,” which is guaranteed by the 1987 Constitution, cherished by the people, and consistently upheld by the Marcos administration.

“We view today’s assemblies as part of the national conversation we should be having as a people to bring clarity and consensus on issues that face us all and affect our future,” he said. 

Bersamin is confident that the INC rally to be held in different parts of the country would be peaceful and orderly. 

“Walang duda ang aming paniniwala na magiging mapayapa, matiwasay at makabuluhan ang mga pagtitipon sa araw na ito,” he said. 

(There’s no doubt that the event today will be peaceful, orderly, and meaningful.) 

He expressed hope that the event would help in bringing clarity to the issues that are being experienced and faced in the society. 

“Higit sa lahat, umaasa kami na ang mga ipapahayag na mga opinyon ay makakatulong sa paglilinaw sa mga usaping kinakaharap ng ating bansa at maghahatid sa atin sa tunay na pagkakaisa na ating inaasam,” Bersamin said. 

(We are hopeful that the opinion, which will be expressed today, will bring clarity to issues being faced by the country and that it will bring unity.) 

He said the peace rally should not be impaired as he instructed concerned agencies to extend aid to INC when necessary. 

“In this light, agencies concerned with the maintenance of peace and order, as well as with traffic and transportation management, including emergency health services, should be ready to provide assistance whenever such is needed by their fellow citizens,” Bersamin said. 

The rally is set to be held in 13 areas across the country on Monday, January 13. 

People have already started to arrive at Quirino Grandstand in Manila as early as Sunday evening.

The INC earlier said that the peace rally would be done to express support to the stance of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. opposing the impeachment of Vice President Sara Duterte despite their political rift. 

Marcos earlier said that impeaching Duterte would not benefit anyone.

Three impeachment complaints have been filed against Duterte before the House of Representatives.

The Vice President has said that she welcomes the complaints.

“So, okay din 'yung impeachment case dahil ako lang ang tinitira doon, ako lang iniimbestigahan noon. Ako lang ang inaatake ng impeachment case. Hindi na kasali ang nga kasamahan ko sa OVP and mga dati kong kasama sa DepEd. Masagot na ng final kung ano 'yung mga inaakusa nila sa akin,” Duterte said.

(So, it’s okay they filed an impeachment case since I’ll only be the one who's being attacked. I’ll only be the one who's being investigated. I’ll only be the one who is being attacked in the impeachment case. My staff in the Office of the Vice President and Department of Education will no longer be involved. I can finally answer what they are accusing me of.)—AOL, GMA Integrated News