Hundreds of thousands of protesters surged into the streets of Metro Manila on Sunday, turning two major landmarks into centers of swelling public unrest.

At the Quirino Grandstand in Rizal Park, waves of Iglesia ni Cristo (INC) members poured in before sunrise for the opening of their multi-day “Rally for Transparency and a Better Democracy.”

The sheer size of the crowd — growing by the hour — forced authorities to deploy more than 16,000 police officers to keep order.

Across the city, the tension was just as charged.

At the EDSA People Power Monument, the United People’s Initiative gathered in a fiery anti-corruption demonstration, clogging traffic and drawing close to 2,000 security personnel to the historic site.

With two massive rallies unfolding simultaneously, police officials urged calm and stressed that officers had been instructed to exercise maximum tolerance as the day’s political energy continued to build.

INC opposes junta, coup

A senior Iglesia ni Cristo (senior Iglesia ni Cristo (INC)) official emphasized that the group and its members reject any actions that violate any actions that violate the Constitution — whether a civilian military junta, revolutionary government, coup d’état, or snap elections — while still calling for accountability in the multi-billion-peso flood control projects.

“Any action that leads to violence and chaos — wala kaming sang-ayon diyan. What we want is for all solutions and steps to follow legal and peaceful means. Let’s make it clear: we do not wish for the downfall of our government. What we want is the end of corruption and the promotion of a government that is honest and serves the people,” said INC Minister of the Gospel Bienvenido Santiago Jr. during the “Rally for Transparency and a Better Democracy” at Quirino Grandstand.

Santiago also urged the government to carry out a fair and transparent investigation into all officials allegedly involved in the flood control mess, so that those responsible are held accountable and public funds are returned.

Corruption stymies investment

Santiago Jr. said the INC is concerned that foreign investors are backing out of opening businesses in the Philippines due to widespread corruption.

The INC minister also voiced concern over reports that South Korea could pull its billion-peso infrastructure loan to the Philippines due to alleged widespread corruption — a claim the country’s economic team has previously denied.

“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.

He also quoted a report from the South China Morning Post saying that the Philippine stock Market was the worst performer due to government scandals and weak structural integrity that shooed away foreign investors, an inconvenient and humiliating truth, according to Santiago.

The Philippine Stock Exchange Index (PSEi), on 14 November, fell 2.49 percent to 5,584.35, nearing levels last seen during the height of the Covid-19 pandemic in May 2020.

“That is why we are calling on the government that it is about time for them to come up with concrete measures, because we no longer want empty promises to restore the dignity of our country. If they fail to uphold transparency, accountability, justice, and peace, the economy will only worsen — and it will be the Filipino people who will suffer,” he said in mix of English and Filipino.

650,000 rallyists

Meanwhile, 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. The number grew to 650,000 later.

He then warned those troublemakers, particularly those who have the intention to use the three-day rally for their evil intentions, to stay away and not do it in the City of Manila.

“So, to the politicians who want to ride this, don’t use this occasion for your political interests. This is about the country. The intention of the INC is to ensure peace and hold accountable those who have done wrong,” he said.

Justice, accountability

Felix Emmanuel Tolentino, an INC youth member from Bulacan, voiced frustration over billions in government funds allegedly pocketed by corrupt officials — money that could have gone to educating underprivileged students.

“As a youth, this has a huge impact on us. We’re no strangers to the floods in Cebu, where not just families but schools were affected. On top of that, education funds, which we know are already in poor condition, supposedly end up in the pockets of corrupt officials. Corruption affects the youth massively, even at our age. Imagine its effect on the whole population,” Tolentino said.

Another youth member from Cavite, Mico Malamo, expressed disappointment with what he sees as shortcomings in the Marcos Jr. administration.

“As Filipino youth, we see that our government today is falling short in fulfilling its duties. That’s why, not just as youth but as citizens, we joined this rally — to make sure the President hears the people, especially us young ones,” he said.

“Many promises remain unfulfilled, and we hope the President listens to our calls. After all, it’s his responsibility to ensure those who are guilty are held accountable and justice is served,” Malamo added.

Slight commotion

The festive yet peaceful first day of the INC rally was marred by a slight commotion, as around 9 a.m, INC Minister Erdz Cudera took the microphone and heard yelling, asking for the Philippine National Police (PNP) personnel to step out of the vicinity of the grandstand.

“This is peaceful. We informed the government. We have a permit! Don’t target us,” Cudera said.

“As for the police, take note of the names. If you find out they’re not ours, remember that,” Cudera added.

After that, PNP-National Capital Region Police Office chief, Brigadier General Anthony Aberin, also took the mic and shooed away his own men, as confirmed by INC spokesperson and Minister of the Gospel Brother Edwil Zabala to the DAILY TRIBUNE.

Zabala said local and national authorities have granted permits for the three-day event.

Zabala also maintained that non-INC members are welcome to join the peaceful rally, but rallyists with political placards are advised not to join.

Marcos urged to resign

Pro-Duterte groups on Sunday demanded President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. step down, blaming him and his cousin, former House Speaker Martin Romualdez, for alleged corruption in the country’s flood control projects.

Eric Celiz, Secretary General of Bangon Sambayanan People’s Movement, called the duo a “government syndicate” responsible for a “monumental restoration of plunder and corruption.”

“We are calling for his resignation to restore the dignity of government and public trust. Otherwise, the whole country will collapse,” Celiz said during the “Rally for Transparency and a Better Democracy” at the People Power Monument in Quezon City.

When asked about Vice President Sara Duterte as a potential replacement, Celiz said she “already learned not to follow the example of Marcos and Romualdez.”

Cesar Cuntapay, founding chair of United Taxpayers Against Crime, said the corruption was allegedly “conspired by Zaldy Co and principally by Bongbong Marcos,” calling it a “syndicated crime.” He noted that Duterte should not be blamed, as there are no allegations against her.

Cuntapay also criticized the slow investigation by the Independent Commission for Infrastructure into the flood control funds, calling it “just for compliance” and ineffective in holding officials accountable.

Among the rallyists was Erlinda, a 39-year-old mother from Quezon City, who said she joined to fight corruption for her children’s future.

“If there’s no corruption, maybe poverty wouldn’t be as bad. I want those responsible held accountable and put behind bars. If ordinary people get punished for small theft, why not corrupt officials?” she said.

Palace on lockdown

Meanwhile, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. stayed inside Malacañang Palace, monitoring the protests, Presidential Communications acting Secretary Dave Gomez confirmed.

Before the demonstrations escalated, authorities placed the Malacañang complex on lockdown, closing key entry gates to both pedestrians and vehicles.

Palace Press Officer Undersecretary Claire Castro said security preparations around the Palace are “enough,” noting that police have learned from the 21 September rallies.

“I feel the preparations they’re doing now are enough. Whatever gates they decide to close, I think that’s sufficient to provide protection and prevent any disorder,” she said in a radio interview.

She added that the focus isn’t only on securing the Palace itself.

“It’s not just Malacañang they’re trying to protect. Many people could get dragged into trouble. Like what happened before, some individuals and even establishments were caught in the chaos. So I think our police are ready for activities like this,” she said.

Castro also emphasized that Marcos “will not stop working,” even with protests expected to continue in the coming days.

“He can’t hold back because of this. If he stops due to these threats, then nothing will move in our country. So the President cannot and will not stop working,” Castro said.