EDSA Shrine prayer rally set 31 January

Another prayer rally is set to take place at the end of January in Metro Manila, this time at the historic EDSA Shrine, to protest the 2025 national budget.

The rally is being initiated by the Clergy for Good Governance and Citizens for Good Governance (CGG2), an inter-faith and multi-sectoral alliance committed to fostering transparency, integrity, and accountability in our nation's governance.

On 31 January, CGG2 will also launch its anti-corruption, anti-political dynasties, and electoral reform campaign.

In a radio interview, retired Supreme Court Justice Antonio Carpio said the rally would focus on issues surrounding the 2025 General Appropriations Act.

“The main issue of the rally is 2025 General Appropriations act, pork barrel, Philhealth has no appropriation, [Department of Health] computer has no appropriation,” Carpio said.

“Our budget should be fixed; they should return to the original proposal from the office of the president for PhilHealth,” he added.

State insurer Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth) will receive zero subsidy in the 2025 national budget.

Meanwhile, the education sector has been allocated the largest cut from the budget, with funding amounting to P1.055 trillion.

The rally is set to run from 3:00 to 7:00 PM.

The 31 January rally comes weeks after the Iglesia ni Cristo’s peace rally on 13 January, where more than one million attended.