An anchor from the Iglesia Ni Cristo’s (INC) official broadcast arm sought to debunk “fake news” claiming that the religious organization’s rally on Monday was intended to defend Vice President Sara Duterte against efforts to oust her from office, clarifying instead that it will be a National Rally for Peace.
The clarification came amid social media posts suggesting that the event, scheduled on January 13 at the Quirino Grandstand in Manila, is a show of force for Duterte, who is facing at least three impeachment complaints before the House of Representatives.
“What will take place… is a rally for peace. It is not for VP Sara. It will take no [political] sides,” Net25 news anchor Ali Sotto said in Filipino.
“Let’s be objective. Let’s be factual. The rally is for peace — kapayapaan,” she added.
Sotto’s statement appeared to counter the claims of lawyer Harry Roque, who earlier suggested that the rally would block efforts to impeach the Vice President.
“First of all, this [rally] opposes the impeachment of Inday Sara Duterte. Second, they want peace in the government,” Roque earlier told Bombo Radyo.
Roque, reportedly abroad but whose exact whereabouts are unknown, has also been promoting the rally on his Facebook account, inviting the public to join.
As this developed, House Secretary General Reginald Velasco said the three impeachment complaints filed against Duterte have all been consolidated and verified.
“Our legal department reviewed the impeachment as soon as they were filed. As of today, all three have been verified,” he said.
Velasco said his office is ready to transmit anytime the three impeachment raps to the office of Speaker Martin Romualdez to enable the latter to give the go signal to the House Committee on Justice to deliberate on the complaints.
As soon as referred, the Speaker’s office has 10 session days to include the complaint in the House plenary’s Order of Business through the House Committee on Rules.
In turn, the plenary will have three days to refer the complaints to the House Justice panel.
Velasco said he may transmit the impeachment complaints Thursday next week.
Meanwhile, Malacañang suspended work in government offices and classes at all levels in Manila and Pasay City on Monday to accommodate the INC’s “National Rally for Peace.”
This was announced through Memorandum Circular No. 76, issued by the Office of the President on Friday and signed by Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin.
The directive cited the need to ensure the organized conduct of the event, which is expected to draw numerous participants traveling to and within the two cities.
The memorandum, however, clarified that agencies involved in the delivery of basic and health services, disaster preparedness and response, and other essential operations will continue to operate as necessary.
In related developments, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) also announced the road closures near Quirino Grandstand ahead of Monday’s rally.
Traffic Operations Officer Manny Miro advised road users to take alternative routes such as U.N. Avenue and Quirino Avenue due to the closure of several thoroughfares.
He noted that the following roads will be closed: Katigbak Drive, South Drive, Roxas Boulevard (from U.N. Avenue to P. Burgos), Kalaw, Bonifacio Drive (from P. Burgos to Anda Circle), and Maria Orosa.
Miro emphasized the importance of motorists using alternate routes, urging trucks to take the Quirino Avenue-Lacson-Capulong-R10 route during the road closure.
For his part, MMDA Chairman Romando Artes stated that street parking will be permitted on that day but only one lane may be used for this purpose.