ACT Teachers Partylist Representative and House Deputy Minority Leader France Castro believes that the "National Rally for Peace" organized by the Iglesia Ni Cristo (INC) is a way to cover up Vice President Sara Duterte's accountability in the issues thrown against her.
Castro further pointed out that the large-scale gathering was planned to protect the Vice President from allegations surrounding the questionable use of the 2022 and 2023 confidential funds of the Office of the Vice President (OVP) and the Department of Education (DepEd) under her leadership.
She further stated that the rally’s timing comes at a time when the results of the Social Weather Station (SWS) and Pulse Asia surveys were already released.
In the SWS Survey conducted from December 12-18, 2024, 41% of Filipinos expressed support for the impeachment against Vice President Duterte.
Meanwhile, a Pulse Asia Survey conducted from November 26 to December 3, 2024, revealed that 61% of Filipinos are backing the House Quad-Committee’s inquiry into issues related to Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGO), illegal drugs, and extrajudicial killings (EJKs).
Castro also stressed that no rally could erase the truth that government officials will be held accountable for their actions.
She said that the large percentage of support for impeachment, based on the SWS Survey, is calling for justice and accountability, not political theatrics.
The lawmaker added that there can be no true peace without justice.
Earlier, the INC announced that it will hold a rally for peace in support of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.'s call to not push through with the impeachment proceedings against Vice President Sara Duterte.
Malacañang then reaffirmed that the right to assemble is a fundamental constitutional right, cherished by the people, and consistently upheld by the current administration.
By Monday morning, the estimated number of attendees at the Quirino Grandstand, where the rally is being held, had reached 1.6 million.
