The traffic congestion caused by a lightning rally of a religious organization on a rainy Tuesday morning, June 30, caused delays for Filipinos going to work, school and other appointments.
Members of the Iglesia Ni Cristo (INC) gathered along EDSA, the main thoroughfare that passes through several Metro Manila cities, on Tuesday to show support for Sen. Rodante Marcoleta, a fellow member.
Marcoleta is set to face a non-bailable plunder case this week in connection with undeclared election campaign donations totaling P75 million, dating back to when he was running for senator.
State prosecutors also noted that the amount was not mentioned in his Statement of Liabilities, Liabilities and Net Worth (SALN) as of June 30, 2025.
Meanwhile, INC members swarmed parts of White Plains Avenue in Quezon City as early as around 4 a.m. to express support for the senator.
They converged at the People Power Monument along EDSA, severely affecting motorists who needed to get to work, school or other appointments.
The congestion was worsened by the rain that hit Metro Manila on Tuesday morning, causing flooding on some city roads.
The protest, held on a rainy day and on the second business day of the week, caused Filipinos to be late for work and school, among other disruptions.
“Ito pala may kasalanan. [Two hours] ako na-stuck sa daan. Sana nag-inform kayo, ano? Para naman nakapaghanda kami,” an online user wrote.
“[Two] hours and counting. What time kaya ako makakarating sa office?” another Pinoy commented.
“Napakasalot ng INC, sa totoo lang. Ang hirap mag-book tapos pag naka-book ka na, napaka-traffic pa rin,” a different X user wrote.
“Ano kayang feeling ng mga INC that didn’t get the memo, papunta rin sa work but also got stuck in traffic because of this rally, proud kaya sila sa ginagawa ng mga kagrupo nila?” another Pinoy wrote.
“5 a.m. ako umalis ng bahay. Usual route ko EDSA. ‘Di ko alam may rally. [Two hours] na, nasa EDSA pa rin ako,” a different X user said.
“No reason for me to take [two] hours to book a f****** ride to work or the MRT station. Every minute I’m late, malaki ‘yung bawas sa sahod ko, all because these f****** losers don’t want a man accused of plundering millions of the people’s money to be held accountable,” another Pinoy said.
The rally has no permit, according to the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA).
MMDA General Manager Nicolas Torre III also said that there was “absolutely no coordination.”
Rally organizers must secure a permit from a local government unit before conducting a demonstration at a public place.
The MMDA said that the rallyists have committed multiple traffic violations, resulting in heavy congestion along EDSA and other roads.
RELATED: Major EDSA routes blocked due to Iglesia ni Cristo rally
Aside from the People Power Monument, INC-linked rallyists also gathered at Liwasang Bonifacio in Manila. Authorities said they had not been informed of the gathering.
Meanwhile, INC spokesperson Edwil Zabala said the church opposes the supposed “twisting of the law,” noting that Marcoleta used to head the Senate investigation into the flood-control scandal under the Blue Ribbon Committee.
Marcoleta has since been replaced by Sen. Erwin Tulfo.
“Ipakukulong siya at hindi pwedeng mag-pyansa hanggang hindi natatapos ang paglilitis sa kanya. Sa madaling salita ay hindi na niya maitutuloy ang paglalantad at pag-e-expose sa mga pandarambong na naganap,” Zabala said in a statement.
He added that the campaign funds linked to Marcoleta were allegedly not public funds and that the Commission on Elections did not supposedly consider receiving such campaign donations a crime.
“Sinusuportahan ng Iglesia Ni Cristo na itinataguyod ni Senador Marcoleta dahil ito rin ang posisyon namin. Nananawagan kami para sa transparency, accountability, justice, at peace,” Zabala said.
“Kaya, nais naming iparinig sa mga kinauukulan na kahit ipakulong nila si Sen. Marcoleta, hindi kami titigil sa paghingi ng katarungan para sa mga kababayan nating ninakawan. Gusto namin ipaalam sa kanila na isang injustice ang selective justice. At hindi kami mananahimik sa harap nitong napakalaking pagyurak sa katarungan na hinihingi ng ating mga kababayan,” he added.
This is not the first time INC has flocked to support fellow members facing charges.
In 2015, thousands of members also gathered at the Department of Justice to protest then-Justice Secretary Leila De Lima’s investigation into the alleged illegal detention of expelled church members. — with reports from Philstar.com/Renalyn Ramirez