November 2025 Iglesia ni Cristo protests

Rally for Transparency and a Better Democracy
Part of 2025 Philippine anti-corruption protests
Date (2025-11-16) (2025-11-17)November 16–17, 2025
LocationManila, Philippines
Also known asRally for Transparency, Accountability, Justice, and Peace
November 2025 Iglesia ni Cristo protests
TypeMass demonstration
CauseFlood control projects controversy
Organized byIglesia ni Cristo
Participants650,000 protestors
OutcomeIglesia ni Cristo declared stated goals has been met; protests called off a day early

The Rally for Transparency and a Better Democracy, also known as the Rally for Transparency, Accountability, Justice, and Peace, is a protest led by the Iglesia ni Cristo which began on November 16, 2025.

Background

Main article: Flood control projects controversy in the Philippines
See also: National Rally for Peace

The Iglesia ni Cristo (INC) has announced a three-day demonstrations which it dubbed as the "Rally for Transparency, Accountability, Justice, and Peace" or "Rally for Transparency and a Better Democracy".[1] [2][3]

While the protests are open to non-members of the INC, Brother Edwil Zabala, spokesman of the INC said that the rally is not meant to "interfere in politics" but to call for everyone involved in the flood control projects scandal to be held accountable.[4][5] Reforma Filipina and Hakbang Maisug, groups supporting the Dutertes, reportedly expressed interest to join but was barred due to the INC not willing to call for the resignation of President Bongbong Marcos.[6]

There were concerns of a destablization plot against the administration of President Bongbong Marcos ahead of the three-day protest scheduled for November 16 to 18, 2025.[7] The Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) issued a statement to the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) to defend to constitution amidst what it assess as "challenging times". The AFP has pledged it will not take part in "unconstitutional actions" including a coup.[8] The CBPC also cautioned against "political exploitation" ahead of the protests and the recent video statement by Zaldy Co.[9]

Road closures and class suspensions in Manila were imposed by the local government in preparation by the event.[10][11]

Protest

November 16

People began gathering at the Quirino Grandstand on November 16, 2025. INC minister Bienvenido Santiago Jr. has explicitly rejected the proposals for a coup d'état, the installation of a military junta, and the conduct of a snap elections while reiterating the church's stances on the corruption issue.[12]

Senator Rodante Marcoleta, who is an INC member, also spoke at the rally.[13]

Around 6:00pm, around 650,000 people have gathered according to the Manila Police District.[14] The protesters camped out in the venue with around 120,000 attendees still on site as of 10:00 pm.[15]

November 17

According to the MPD, there were 600,000 protesters as of 6:00 pm of November 17.[16]

Senator Imee Marcos, who was in attendance, made allegations that her brother and President Bongbong Marcos, as well as First Lady Liza Araneta Marcos and their children use drugs.[17][18]

The INC prematurely ended the rally which was supposed to end the following day.[19]

Aftermath

INC spokesperson Edwil Zabala, justifying the early end of the protests, stated that the church has attained its goals of calling for "justice, accountability, transparency, and peace" already.[19]

The drug use allegations hurled by Senator Imee Marcos was met with condemnation from the first family, the Office of the President, and other political figures.[20][21][22] Senator Ping Lacson called the move as "un-Filipino" for bringing out a "sibling quarrel" to the public.[21]

In the November 18 broadcast of Sa Ganang Mamamayan in Net 25, Zabala said that Senator Imee Marcos' speech against the president is outside the protest's scope on calling for "justice, accountability, transparency, and peace" although he framed Imee's drug use allegations against President Bongbong Marcos as coming from a love of "an older sister" and "love for country".[23]

Analysis

Chito de la Vega has observed that the Iglesia ni Cristo's calls for transparency lack credibility due to the Rally for Transparency and a Better Democracy's inclusion of Senator Rodante Marcoleta as guest speaker, considering Marcoleta's non-disclosure of campaign donations and discrepancies in the senator's statement of contributions and expenditures (SOCE) and statement of assets, liabilities and net worth (SALN).[24]

References

  1. ^ Sarao, Zacarian (November 16, 2025). "INC's anti-corruption rally draws over 300,000 in Manila". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved November 16, 2025.
  2. ^ "Crowd at INC Quirino Grandstand rally swells to over 500,000". ABS-CBN News. November 16, 2025. Retrieved November 16, 2025.
  3. ^ Mutya, Ronnie (November 16, 2025). "3-day INC-led 'Rally for Transparency and a Better Democracy' kicks off". Pasugo. Retrieved November 16, 2025.
  4. ^ Sarao, Zacarian (November 14, 2025). "INC's three-day anti-corruption protest open to non-members". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved November 16, 2025.
  5. ^ "Mega church Iglesia ni Cristo gathers in Manila to protest Philippine corruption". The Straits Times. November 16, 2025. Retrieved November 16, 2025.
  6. ^ "Duterte supporters barred from joining INC protest at Luneta". GMA News (in English and Filipino). November 16, 2025. Retrieved November 16, 2025.
  7. ^ Sigales, Jason (November 12, 2025). "Remulla warns vs destabilization efforts amid 3-day INC rally". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved November 16, 2025.
  8. ^ Barcelo, Vito (November 16, 2025). "CBCP official urges military to defend Constitution amid challenges". Manila Standard. Retrieved November 16, 2025.
  9. ^ "CBCP warns against 'political exploitation' ahead of big rallies". Philippine Daily Inquirer. November 16, 2025. Retrieved November 16, 2025.
  10. ^ Ong, Ghio (November 16, 2025). "Manila to close roads for three-day rallies". The Philippine Star. Retrieved November 16, 2025.
  11. ^ "Class suspensions declared in Manila due to INC events". The Philippine Star. November 16, 2025. Retrieved November 16, 2025.
  12. ^ Ayeng, Raffy (November 16, 2025). "INC rejects military junta, coup proposals; urges accountability in flood control scandal". Daily Tribune. Retrieved November 16, 2025.
  13. ^ "Marcoleta hits flood control probe in INC 3-day 'rally for transparency'". Cebu Daily News. Philippine Daily Inquirer. November 17, 2025. Retrieved November 18, 2025.
  14. ^ Rita, Joviland (November 17, 2025). "PNP: Deployment of 800 armed cops at INC rally due to miscommunication". GMA News. Retrieved November 18, 2025.
  15. ^ Sanchez, Eon (November 17, 2025). "Iglesia ni Cristo members camp out overnight for second day of rally in Manila". ABS-CBN News. Retrieved November 18, 2025.
  16. ^ Sampang, Dianne (November 17, 2025). "Day 2 of INC rally attracts 600,000 participants". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved November 18, 2025.
  17. ^ Santos, Tina G. (November 18, 2025). "Imee Marcos' claims at religious gathering 'un-Filipino' – Lacson". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved November 18, 2025.
  18. ^ "Imee calls brother President Bongbong Marcos, First Family 'drug addicts'". Rappler. November 17, 2025. Retrieved November 18, 2025.
  19. ^ a b Serquiña, Mariel Celine (November 17, 2025). "INC ends rally vs corruption at Quirino Grandstand". GMA News. Retrieved November 18, 2025.
  20. ^ Locus, Sundy (November 18, 2025). "Ilocos Norte mayors called for a meeting amid Marcos alleged drug use — Imee Marcos". GMA News. Retrieved November 19, 2025.
  21. ^ a b Mangaluz, Jean (November 18, 2025). "Ping Lacson on Imee's allegations vs Bongbong: 'Very un-Filipino'". The Philippine Star. Retrieved November 19, 2025.
  22. ^ Cariaso, Bella (November 19, 2025). "Palace: Imee's drug remarks part of destabilization". The Philippine Star. Retrieved November 19, 2025.
  23. ^ De Leon, Richard (November 19, 2025). "INC spox sa pasabog ni Sen. Imee kontra PBBM: 'Labas sa pinag-usapan ang sinabi ni Senadora!" [INC spokesperson to Sen. Imee's expose against PBBM: 'The Senator spoke outside the scope'!]. Balita (in Filipino). Retrieved November 19, 2025.
  24. ^ "Panawagan for transparency? Eh bakit ganitong mga politiko ang bida?" [A call for transparency? Why are these politicians featured though?]. Rappler (in Tagalog). Retrieved December 18, 2025.
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