Political Tensions Escalate in the Philippines as Mass Protest Engulfs Capital

Thousands of members of the influential religious sect Iglesia Ni Cristo (INC) staged a protest in Manila on Tuesday, rallying against the government’s plan to prosecute Senator Rodante Marcoleta over alleged campaign fund corruption. The demonstration, which police estimated drew 12,000 people, caused major traffic congestion across the capital and occurred just days before the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte, a close ally of Marcoleta. “This is a lightning protest,” said participant Rodel Gundrean, while INC spokesman Edwil Zabala declared, “We want to tell them that selective justice is injustice and we will not remain silent.”

The case against Marcoleta has become a political flashpoint, as he is seen as a crucial vote in the Senate trial against Vice President Duterte, scheduled to begin on 6 July. Duterte has condemned the Marcos administration, accusing it of “weaponising the justice system” to silence critics. The political climate has further intensified with recent investigations targeting other Duterte allies, including Senator Jose “Jinggoy” Estrada, who faces corruption charges, and Senator Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa, who reportedly went into hiding to avoid an arrest warrant from the International Criminal Court. President Marcos reportedly cancelled a lunch with foreign media to monitor the protest situation.