Everybody is keenly awaiting for the Iglesia ni Cristo (INC)’s grand rally supposedly intended to restore peace in the country and unity among its leaders who, at this very moment, are deeply divided especially in their understanding of the issues that beseech the nation.
The country’s political leaders are also adverse in their approaches in dealing with the problems that are supposedly bringing the nation to the economic standstill – even regression – and are trying to blame each other for the prevalence of the mess.
The political group now fighting tooth and nail with the current national administration call the latter as wanting in direction and the President, Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. “wanting in leadership.” And while the former group headed by ex-President Rodrigo R. Duterte and his daughter Vice President Sara Duterte is in this stage of its attack mode, now trying to portray – with some degree of success – as the main political opposition, it is trying to harness every possible means to make itself stronger and formidable.
Its latest strategy is to convince the Filipinos that the so-called Peace Rally of the Iglesia Ni Cristo religious sect slated nationwide on Monday is in support to the VP who, the group said, is being persecuted by the administration. Social media vloggers clearly identified with the opposition group based on their narratives, however, appear far from successful in drawing credible organizations to join the opposition’s bandwagon. The INC and its supposed peace rally could be their last major hope to get a solidly organized support structure.
This claim however, is disputed by the administration even as it admitted that if there is any connection between the INC Peace Rally and the Duterte-led group, it is the INC’s desire to make known its position on the impeachment move against the VP. The religious sect does not want the impeach move pursued.
Anyhow, it is only a matter of two days, and all the questions about the real motive of the INC nationwide Peace Rally will finally be known. Will the organizers be able to motivate people from other religious organizations, specifically the Roman Catholics, to join the INC and be among them in pursuing their (INC) rally’s agenda?
Will the INC members – leaders and simple followers – be willing to do away with the principles that are instilled in them by their Church and trade the uncertain road to possible violence?
But of course it is our take that the INC leadership may not be fully ready for the possible consequences that may be negative to the Church. We know it is so sensitive when issues drag the sect to the forefront.
Meanwhile, there is one post in the social media that the so-called ‘New Opposition” can take advantage to the hilt. It was the one made by Retired Senior Supreme Court Justice Antonio Carpio about the alleged massive manipulation by lawmakers and top government executives in emptying the safe deposit boxes of agencies and government financial institutions by legal maneuvers.
Should the Duterte-led group be able to recruit efficient script or content writers using as inputs the Carpio post, the group will surely have enough sources of ammunition to fight the administration’s propaganda juggernaut.
But despite Carpio’s integrity as a person, his allegations do not automatically carry with it the former justice’s personal credibility.
As Carpio very well knows, evidence is an important element in the determination of the truth of any issue. Hence, with Carpio’s claim of “legal” robbery of government funds still unsubstantiated, it remain just allegations. Thus, if it helps the Duterte-led struggle to stoke hatred in the people’s heart and mind against the incumbent Malacanang tenant, it could only be superficial and fizzles out easily.
Meanwhile, if the INC rally proceeds as a real Peace Rally and a venue for a massive call for unity among leaders, then it is worth listening by our leaders. They should set aside pride and hatred for the sake of the Filipino nation.
