Vice President Sara Duterte on Monday, Jan. 13, thanked the Iglesia Ni Cristo (INC) for holding the National Rally for Peace, saying the event was a powerful show of unity and faith that seeks peace toward the progress of the country.
Millions of INC members attended the rally, which was aimed at showing support for President Marcos’ stance against Duterte’s impeachment cases.
According to the Manila Police District (MPD), more than 1.5 million INC members gathered at the Quirino Grandstand in Rizal Park, Manila.
“Ito ay isang makapangyarihang pagpapakita ng pagkakaisa at pananampalataya na ang tanging hangad lamang ay kapayapaan tungo sa kaunlaran ng ating bansa,” she in a short video message.
“Nagpapasalamat ako sa ating mga kapatid sa Iglesia Ni Cristo sa inyong patuloy na pagsisikap na maghatid ng pagkakaunawaan at pagkakaisa sa ating mga kababayan,” she added.
Earlier this month, the INC announced the peace rally to support Marcos’ stance that the impeachment cases lodged against Duterte will do nothing to help the current plight of Filipinos.
The officials, who won under the platform of unity in 2022, had a falling out that purportedly resulted to the massive cut in the Office of the Vice President’s (OVP) proposed 2025 budget.
The Vice President also claimed that she hired someone to have the First Couple and Speaker Martin Romualdez assasinated if she herself gets killed.
But on Monday, she emphasized the need for unity amid the current challenges facing the country.
“Sa gitna ng tumataas na presyo ng bilihin, kahirapan, at iba pang suliranin, ang isang mapayapa at nagkakaisang Pilipinas ay hindi kailanman matitinag, at paulit-ulit na aahon sa gitna ng hamon ng panahon,” she said.
The religious group, which endorsed the candidacies of both Marcos and Duterte in the 2022 polls, appealed for unity and peace during the rally.
Malacañan earlier suspended government work and classes in all levels in Pasay and Makati in view of the rally. (Raymund Antonio)
