Iglesia ni Cristo Holds Three-Day Rally for Transparency at Quirino Grandstand in Manila, Philippines

The Iglesia ni Cristo (INC) is holding a three-day rally titled “Rally for Transparency and A Better Democracy” at Quirino Grandstand in Manila, running from 16 to 18 November 2025. As the event neared its final hours, many Filipinos raised fresh claims that the church acts like a cult, according to the source.

INC leaders say the action seeks truth and accountability over alleged misuse of funds in major national projects. Members have expressed frustration after reports of missing money and stalled works. INC spokesperson Edwil Zabala says the group has no plan for destabilization and rejects claims that INC wants any forced change in government. He says the rallies are happening because of growing evidence behind corruption probes (Proverbs 11:1).

Police counted 650,000 participants on the first day, 16 November, while some media outlets recorded 630,000. City workers collected 19 metric tons of waste after that day. About 180,000 people joined on the second day, and many camped near roads overnight. Security staff deployed around 16,000 officers across key areas. A parallel rally by the United People’s Initiative near the People Power Monument expected 300,000 people. Malacañang said President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. was watching events from his office.

The rally takes place against a backdrop of corruption probes involving Marcos, which the source describes as raising political tension. Rake Tribiana, an INC member, said he was hurt after reports linked some leaders to alleged wrongdoing, and said many members join out of concern for honest service. Separately, the probes follow two deadly typhoons and claims made by former lawmaker Zaldy Co.

Online anger has grown as users recall long-standing questions about INC’s bloc voting, rigid doctrine, and tight internal control. Many Filipinos believe the INC is exerting unseen pressure on Marcos toward a step-down that could place Vice President Sara Duterte in charge. Detractors link this fear to the church’s long bloc-voting record. Critics also recalled INC’s 2022 endorsement of Marcos and Duterte, saying the church helped build the current power structure before turning against that leadership. Social media users have also shared past accounts of control over members and pressure on dissenters. The source does not independently verify these claims, and the rally’s organizers have described their purpose in the terms reported above.

Some posts online describe the church as a cult and characterize the rally as blackmail or bullying. These are the views of individual users and are presented here as public opinion, not as established findings.

Marcos has called such claims wild speculation, but he has promised action before Christmas.

Source: Read the original report