INC issues ultimatum

INC issues ultimatum | Daily Tribune

The Iglesia ni Cristo rally held from 16 to 17 November last year must have evoked painful memories for President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.

It was supposed to be a three-day rally, but it abruptly ended after the President’s elder sister, Senator Imee Marcos, accused him of continuing dependence on narcotics, confirming long-circulating rumors.

The mass action of the independent church drew an unprecedented turnout of more than 650,000 protesters at one point, which immediately triggered a series of government responses, starting with the controversial Cabinet resignations.

Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin, Budget Secretary Amenah Pangandaman and Adrian Carlos A. Bersamin, undersecretary at the Office of the Executive Secretary, filed their resignations following the rally.

ES Bersamin, however, said he did not resign, indicating that the three were unceremoniously booted out of the Palace.

The younger Bersamin would later figure in a revelation regarding the exchange of messages with Marcos detailing the transfer of kickbacks from projects in the national budget.

On Friday, INC spokesperson Bro. Edwil D. Zabala read a pointed statement demanding results from the Marcos administration on the probes into the so-called “Floodgate” scandal. It also accused the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee of failing to follow evidence leading to the “masterminds.”

Stating that “those who are supposed to investigate appear to be focusing on events that could be used to divert attention,” the INC held that the Senate panel failed to follow through, implying protection of powerful figures.

Zabala added that the administration resorted to harassing whistleblowers instead of prosecuting perpetrators, and allowed over P1 trillion in alleged plundered public funds for flood control and public works to remain untraced.

A source of concern in the message delivered was the absence of an INC announcement of its next steps, and the symbolism of its condemnation of the handling of former soldiers’ disclosures regarding the distribution of corruption money.

The statement was a calculated escalation, signaling that the INC views the flood control projects scandal as unresolved plunder.

The INC’s history shows it follows through on such calls when core principles like justice and accountability are at stake. Filipinos, as Zabala notes, have not forgotten.

The message cited emerging testimony, including from the alleged sender of misdeclared money and from former soldiers who claim they delivered cash, and questioned why the investigation has not broadened or concluded.

It dismissed claims that the former soldiers’ appearances signal a “destabilization plot,” which was the standard excuse of the Palace.

The INC statement said a serious national security allegation demands full investigation, especially since parts of their statements tie directly to the plunder of public funds.

The statement ended with a firm call: reveal the full truth, hold officials accountable, and restore public trust.

It is a reminder that millions of Filipinos globally are watching, including the INC, emphasizing that the stolen funds come from taxpayers’ hard-earned money.

The claim that informants and former soldiers are “being charged and harassed” while perpetrators walk free was the core message transmitted beyond the intended Palace recipients.