Social media was on fire on Friday, Aug. 28 with comments and criticisms from kababayans who were caught in traffic on EDSA after thousands of members of Iglesia ni Cristo (INC) members gathered in front of a shopping mall, reportedly following instructions from the INC leadership.
While the rest of the commuting public had been inconvenienced on a Friday payday at that, the concern runs deeper among the faithful followers of INC with this biggest “scandal” that has rocked its leadership.
As The Filipino Channel’s daily newscast “Balitang America” reported, INC members interviewed by ABS-CBN News said they joined the rally in EDSA to declare their support for the INC leadership that is now embroiled in accusations of corruption and alleged abduction of INC ministers who criticized the leadership.
INC followers rallied against the Philippine Department of Justice (DOJ) supposed and alleged “meddling” into the internal affairs of INC and giving preferential treatment to former INC minister Isaias Samson Jr., who just filed criminal charges against the INC leadership.
“Bakit ang bilis? Bakit ito ang inuna at … at personal pa at mukhang interesado— doon po kami naguguluhan…Kaya doon po naghihimagsik ang aming kalooban, parang personal siyang interesado, na guluhin po ang aming kapatiran, na ito ay internal lamang sa amin,” Atty. Ferdie Topacio said in an ABS- CBN News report, referring to DOJ Sec. Leila de Lima.
With criminal charges already filed against members of the INC leadership, Sec. De Lima denied accusations against her and affirmed that she is just doing her job. Many kababayans showed their support for De Lima with the hashtag #DeLimaBringTheTruth on social media.
Even the leading presidential candidates have weighed in on the issue.
VP and UNA standard bearer Jejomar Binay posted on Facebook: “We cannot fault the INC for resorting to mass action to protect the independence of their church from a clear act of harassment and interference from the administration.”
In an interview with ABS-CBN, possible presidential candidate Sen. Grace Poe said no one should downplay the importance of religion, adding that what the protesters are defending is their faith.
DILG Secretary and LP standard bearer Mar Roxas issued this statement on his Facebook Page:
“As in all protest actions, preserving peace and order with maximum tolerance will be practiced by all responding policemen.
“While all citizens have the right to be heard and to peaceful assembly, the exercise of these rights cannot impinge on the rights of others or cause inconvenience to anyone. Lalo na yung mga kababayan nating pauwi sa kanilang mga tahanan para magpahinga at makasama ang kanilang mga pamilya.
“The PNP is duty-bound to ensure that the safety and general welfare of the public is maintained, both those protesting and those uninvolved. This includes making sure opportunists do not try to take advantage of the situation for personal ends.
Let us remember that ours is a Rule of Law and not of men.”
What do you think?
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Gel Santos Relos is the anchor of TFC’s “Balitang America.” Views and opinions expressed by the author in this column are are solely those of the author and not of Asian Journal and ABS-CBN-TFC. For comments, go to www.TheFil-AmPerspective.com, https://www.facebook.com/Gel.Santos.Relos
