Media points to politics underlying INC’s ‘Peace’ Rally

THE IGLESIA ni Cristo (INC) staged a massive “National Rally for Peace” on January 13, 2025, mobilizing an estimated 1.5 million participants in the grounds in front of the Grandstand in Luneta. The church gathered its members in different locations in the Philippines, including Cebu City, Davao City, and Cagayan de Oro. 

While framed as a moral call for unity by the INC, the rally’s political undertones were unmistakable. The event Incorporated in its message the INC’s defense of Vice President Sara Duterte against impeachment proceedings, while voicing support for President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. who has said such process to oust his former running mate at this time is not practical.

The rally retained media attention until January 17, sustaining the hype of its scope and the influence of the INC.

Media coverage largely succeeded in exposing these political intentions of the rally; but reports fell short in interrogating INC’s purported electoral influence—a news narrative that demands scrutiny. 

Media identifies the political nature of INC event 

Participants from Cavite, Quezon, Tarlac, Nueva Ecija, and Zambales made up the massive crowd which TV updated through news breaks during the day, leading their evening newscasts with the story. Print gave the rally front page space with banner headlines. 

Networks deployed aerial drones to capture the massive crowds on the day, along with constant traffic updates and notes about police mobilization. Media interviews with INC members echoed calls for “peace” and “unity.” Live broadcast showcased the scale and logistical impact of the INC event.   

Despite its branding as a “peace” event, however, media outlets identified the rally’s political implications, highlighting the presence of prominent lawmakers such as Bato dela Rosa, Francis Tolentino, Bong Go and Robin Padilla, all allied with the Dutertes.

The media also cited politicians and other influential leaders who are known INC members, such as Rep. Rodante Marcoleta of SAGIP partylist and Rommel Topacio, a minister. Topacio, referenced the “unity” campaign motto of the erstwhile Marcos-Duterte tandem, while church spokesperson Edwil Zabala denied the event’s political intent, saying that its message serves as a “moral” call.

Zabala was keen on framing the rally as aligned with Marcos’ call not to prioritize the impeachment process over more pressing issues. 

Among the political analysts who provided insights on the rally’s purpose and intent are the following: 

  • Michael Henry Yusingco, through the Manila Standard, noted that the participation of politicians constituted political messaging.
  • Manuel Quezon III described the rally in an Inquirer report as a strategic move to preserve the Unity Team and bolster INC’s relevance ahead of the midterm elections.
  • Professor Anthony Lawrence Borja in Business World said the INC uses its religious base to mobilize in a political crisis.
  • On ANC’s Headstart, Ronald Llamas contextualized it within previous large-scale rallies by religious groups, framing it as a pressure tactic aimed at Congress.

While these reports stood out by featuring expert commentary on the rally’s nature, coverage largely avoided deeper questions about INC’s legitimacy as a moral authority or its role as a dynastic institution profiled as a church. The issue of separation of church and state also received minimal attention.

Reporting on INC’s electoral influence

Media’s widespread acknowledgment of INC’s voting power has not been joined with efforts to substantiate these claims with data or case studies. This gap perpetuates a narrative that remains unverified yet influential in shaping public perception.

Among key inquiries that need further critical reporting include:

  1. The church’s membership vis a vis its voter base (i.e. What percentage of the 50 million voters are INC members? How does this compare to other so-called voting blocs?)
  2. Its historical impact (Have INC endorsements decisively influenced past elections? Are there case studies of specific races that could provide such clarity?) 
  3. Whether the voting bloc is a myth or an actual force (Does INC truly vote as a bloc? Are there instances where endorsed candidates lost despite INC backing?).

Media continue to amplify claims about the INC’s electoral power without addressing these questions. A more rigorous approach would involve citing existing studies or analyzing voter turnout data, election results and survey findings to evaluate the church’s actual influence.

The media’s coverage of the INC rally demonstrated its capacity to challenge narratives and expose political dynamics. However, future reporting must go further by interrogating long-held assumptions about the INC’s political power. By presenting evidence-based analyses, journalists can provide a clearer picture of how religious groups shape Philippine politics while holding them accountable for their influence.

As midterm elections approach, it is crucial for the media to maintain vigilance in scrutinizing influential groups like INC—not only for their political maneuvers but also for their claims to moral leadership. The constitution mandates the separation of church and state for a reason. The media should do its part and check undue interaction between two institutions.