A top official of the Iglesia ni Cristo emphasized on Sunday that the religious group firmly opposes any movement that violates the Philippine Constitution — including proposals for a civilian military junta, revolutionary government, coup d'etat and snap elections — even as it calls for accountability over the multi-billion-peso flood control projects.

“Basta ang mga hakbang na magbubunga ng karahasan at kaguluhan, hindi tayo sang-ayon dyan. Ang gusto natin, lahat ng solusyon at hakbang dapat sumond sa paraang legal at payapa. Let’s make it clear, hindi namin hinahangad ang pagbagsak ng ating pamahalaan. Ang nais natin ay ang pagbagsak ng katiwalian, at ang pagtataguyod ng isang pamahalaang tapat at makamamayan,” INC Minister of the Gospel Bienvenido Santiago Jr. said during the group’s “Rally for Transparency and a Better Democracy” at Quirino Grandstand.

Santiago said the INC is appealing to the government to conduct a just and open investigation into all officials allegedly involved in the flood control controversy so that those responsible would be held accountable and any stolen public funds recovered.

Concerns on foreign investment

Santiago added that the INC is alarmed by how corruption is affecting global investor confidence.

He cited claims that foreign businesses have backed out of investing in the Philippines because of widespread corruption, including the alleged withdrawal of a billion-peso infrastructure loan proposal from South Korea — a report previously denied by the country’s economic team.

“They are worried that the taxes of their citizens would only be pocketed by corrupt officials. It’s such a shame. Second, during the APEC Summit in South Korea, it’s very evident that there are no investment pledges from any country earned by the Philippines,” he said.

Santiago also referenced a South China Morning Post report, noting that the Philippine stock market was the “worst performer” due to government scandals and weakening structural integrity that allegedly drove investors away — calling it an “inconvenient and humiliating truth.”

“That is why we are calling on the government that it is about time for them to formulate concrete ways, dahil ayaw na natin ng mga pangakong walang laman para ibangon ang dangal ng ating bansa. Kung hindi nila paiiralin ang transparency, accountability, justice and peace, lalong bubulusok ang ekonomiya na ang magdudusa ay ang mga Pilipino,” he said.

Crowd count and security measures

Manila Mayor Isko Moreno, who visited the peaceful rally, said roughly 550,000 attendees were recorded inside and outside Luneta as of 5 p.m. Sunday.

He cautioned individuals who may attempt to hijack the rally for political interests or cause disorder.

“Kaya yung mga gustong sumakay na pulitiko, huwag na ninyong gamitin ang okasyon na ito para inyong mga political interest. This is about the country. The intention of the INC ay magkaroon ng kapanatagan at papanagutin yung mga taong nagkasala,” Moreno said.