Win: INC rally will make pols ‘think twice’ on Sara
A “peace rally” called by the Iglesia ni Cristo (INC) on Jan. 13 would make politicians and government officials “think twice” about supporting the impeachment of Vice President Sara Duterte, Sen. Sherwin “Win” Gatchalian said on Saturday.
He cited the importance of securing the support of the homegrown religious sect, which is known for its practice of bloc voting, during elections. According to government statistics, INC has 2.8 million followers, but it is not known how many of them are registered voters.
There are currently three impeachment complaints against Duterte pending in the House of Representatives. The charges include culpable violation of the Constitution, betrayal of public trust, graft and corruption, bribery and other high crimes.
‘Political reality’
All of them alleged that she misused hundreds of millions of pesos of her confidential funds as Vice President and when she was the education secretary.
Despite their falling out and the bitter rift that followed between them, President Marcos called on his congressional allies not to push for the impeachment of his erstwhile Uniteam partner.
“First of all, this is a good reminder that we must set aside politics and focus on the most pressing problems of the country,” Gatchalian said in an interview in radio dwIZ’s “Usapang Senado” program, echoing Mr. Marcos’ explanation for not supporting the impeachment move.
“If the message is ‘set aside politics and support the President’s pronouncement,’ I think many will think twice, especially among local officials, because we all know that INC’s support is a very important aspect of the campaign,” he said, stressing that it was the “political reality” in the country.
Not taking sides
“I think many (politicians) will hesitate (to support the impeachment complaints against Duterte) because it’s now the period of election campaign.”
Shortly after the President made his statement against going ahead with the impeachment, INC announced plans for the rally last December purportedly in support of his call.
Sagip Rep. Rodante Marcoleta, a prominent INC lawmaker and Duterte supporter, said in an interview with Bilyonaryo News Channel on Friday, that INC was not taking sides in the conflict between the two highest officials of the land.
“The INC would like to see people like the Vice President and the President work together. That is the essence of good government,” he said.
What kind of ‘peace’?
“It’s a rally for peace, that’s all,” he said. “I think the INC wants to send a message across the nation that peace is a factor in achieving development and progress in this country … because INC believes that peace can only be achieved by uniting our people, and this unity can be best demonstrated by our leaders.”
Asked whether INC supports either Mr. Marcos or Duterte, Marcoleta said the Christian sect was neutral. “There was no pronouncement made to that effect,” he said.
Kabataan Rep. Raoul Manuel said INC’s bloc voting power would be put to the test in the May midterm polls.
The political breakup between the President and the Vice President and the peace rally should make INC followers reflect on whether they should continue to allow their religious sect’s leadership to decide which government leaders to support, he said.
“Actually, this is more of a call to action, and also a call to reflection for the members of the INC, in the hope that their individual decisions and their call of conscience will prevail based on what Jesus Christ really wants to teach [us],” Manuel told the Inquirer.
He also questioned INC’s notion of “peace” as it would allow government officials to evade accountability.
“I think it comes from a fake notion of peace … especially when there are grounds for impeachment against the Vice President,” Manuel said.
What should prevail is the general welfare of the people, not only of a specific group.
“Everyone, INC or not, is affected by the services [and actions] of public officials,” he said.
Sole endorsers
So far only minority lawmakers have endorsed the impeachment complaints, but other House lawmakers were inclined to support them and were likely targeting the “expedited process”—that is, garnering one-third of the lower chamber’s vote to send it straight to the Senate for trial, according to House Secretary General Reginald Velasco.
“For now, I am still waiting for the House members who requested some time to study the complaints with the view of endorsing,” Velasco told the Inquirer.
“They requested this because they also got wind of a possible fourth complaint. So, if they are not satisfied with the first three complaints, they may endorse that fourth complaint if it is forthcoming,” he added.
Regardless, Velasco said, “the complaints are ready for transmission to the Speaker … but remember there is a deadline for this. I cannot wait forever.”
Like in Corona’s case
According to the impeachment process outlined in the 1987 Constitution, the Speaker has 10 days from receipt of a complaint to calendar it for the consideration by the plenary.
The plenary then has three days to refer the complaints to the House committee on justice.
But if the House gathers one-third—or 103 out of 300 members—to support the complaints, they can be immediately forwarded to the Senate for trial.
The rally will not be the first that the INC has called to oppose the impeachment of a government official.
In February 2012, INC also gathered its flock in a massive show of force at Rizal Park in Manila in an attempt to dissuade senators from voting to convict then Chief Justice Renato Corona in his Senate impeachment trial.
Corona was not saved from being ousted from the Supreme Court as the senators voted 20-3 to convict him after finding him guilty of not properly disclosing all his wealth.
For Monday’s rally, Malacañang suspended government work and classes in Manila and Pasay City. —WITH REPORTS FROM KATHLEEN DE VILLA, GERMELINA LACORTER, KRIXIA SUBINGSUBING, LEAH AGONOY, PNA AND INQUIRER RESEARCH
