Iglesia ni Cristo is moving to Manila after the Quezon City government revoked the permit

By Mark Joseph M. Sanchez again Kaela Patricia B. Gabriel

About 1,700 members of the Iglesia ni Cristo gathered at Liwasang Bonifacio in Manila on Thursday after the Quezon City government revoked the group’s permit to continue its rally near the EDSA People Power Monument, citing traffic disruptions and public safety concerns.

The religious group moved the gathering after the Quezon City Department of Public Planning and Security revoked its permit Wednesday night.

The rally, which started on June 30, was organized in support of Senator Rodante D. Marcoleta, who is facing charges of embezzlement due to his alleged failure to declare approximately R75 million in campaign contributions. He denied wrongdoing.

Liwasang Bonifacio is a designated freedom park where public meetings may be held without a permit, said Manila Mayor Francisco “Isko” M. Domagoso.

“Liwasang Bonifacio is a freedom park, and like other organizations that wish to express their views publicly, groups can use it [it] without getting permission,” he said in Filipino on Facebook.

The City of Manila suspended classes at all levels on Thursday ahead of the rally, while the Manila Disaster Mitigation and Disaster Management Department was placed on red alert Wednesday night in preparation for the rally.

The Bureau of Immigration has also suspended operations at its offices in Manila from 4 p.m. citing the expected traffic that may affect entry and exit from the city.

In a memorandum dated July 1, the Quezon City Department of Public Order and Security said it revoked the group’s “non-protest/meeting” permit after finding that the protest had caused heavy traffic on EDSA and White Plains Avenue, disturbing public peace and safety.

The center also said the organizers broke their agreement to stay near White Plains Avenue after the participants occupied parts of EDSA.

In another statement, it said the permit it issued covers Wednesday’s rally only. It added that the rally caused a lot of disruption, as commuters were delayed, workers and students arrived late or missed work and classes, and businesses were badly affected.

Meanwhile, political coalition Makabayan questioned what it described as the selective implementation of the Philippine National Police’s (PNP) “high tolerance” policy.

“High tolerance, as expressed by the PNP, seems to apply only to certain groups,” the coalition said in a statement.

Makabayan noted that four of its members are expected to be arraigned on July 14 for allegedly violating the Public Assembly Act in connection with the Labor Day protest in Manila.

The organization said that the demonstration was peaceful, the participants were in contact with the police and the program was completed on Kalaw Avenue.

He went on to say that he does not want similar charges to be brought against other groups, but he is asking what he described as not complying with the rules of public meetings.

FLOOD CONTROL SCANDAL
Meanwhile, Junior Senator Alan Peter S. Cayetano said the extortion case against Mr. Marcoleta is meant to intimidate lawmakers who are pursuing a Senate investigation into the multibillion-peso flood control problems.

In a statement, he said the case was intended to divert public attention from the flood control investigation and alleged that Mr. Marcoleta was not the only senator facing pressure.

“There is a bigger picture, which is the figure in the Senate,” he said. “Whether we’re talking about a Senate majority, two-thirds impeachment, or charter reform, this has consequences.”

Mr. Cayetano said members of the minority group were warned on February 4 that they would be charged if they took control of the Senate.

The minority group had been expecting more legal pressure from the administration after Senator Jose “Jinggoy” P. Ejercito Estrada, Jr. arrested, he said, noting that efforts to use cases against them began even before he became president of the Senate.

Ombudsman Jesus Crispin C. Remulla announced on June 29 that Mr. Marcoleta will face embezzlement charges for failing to declare P75 million in campaign contributions.

Speaking on the second day of the Iglesia ni Cristo meeting on July 1, Mr. Marcoleta said the funds came from independent supporters who participated in his Senate campaign.

“The thing they are accusing me of is the money to help my campaign so that I can succeed as a Member of Parliament,” he said. “My private friends who cheated on me gave their money to me… and I won.”

Mr. Marcoleta described the case as false.

A day after the Ombudsman was announced, he said the charges were aimed at preventing him from revealing the truth about the flood control investigation and participating in the trial of Vice President Sara Duterte-Carpio, which will open on July 6.