On Thursday, about 1,700 members of the Iglesia ni Cristo gathered at Liwasang Bonifacio after Quezon City revoked their permit for a rally near the EDSA People Power Monument, citing traffic disruption and safety concerns.
The group relocated after the Quezon City Department of Public Order and Safety withdrew the permit late Wednesday. The rally, which began on June 30, was organized to support Senator Rodante D. Marcoleta, who faces a plunder case over alleged failure to declare roughly 75 million pesos in campaign contributions, a charge he denies.
Liwasang Bonifacio is designated as a freedom park where public assemblies may be held without a permit, according to the mayor of Manila. He emphasized that organizations may use the space without securing a permit.
Manila suspended classes at all levels on Thursday in anticipation of the gathering, and the city’s disaster risk reduction department was placed on red alert to prepare for possible incidents.
The Bureau of Immigration halted operations at its Manila offices from 4 p.m., warning of expected heavy traffic that could impede access to and from the city.
In a memorandum dated July 1, the Quezon City department said it revoked the “no objection” rally permit after determining the demonstration caused severe congestion along EDSA and White Plains Avenue, disrupting public order and safety.
The department added that organizers violated an agreement to remain on White Plains Avenue after participants occupied portions of EDSA, and that the permit covered only Wednesday’s gathering.
Officials reported significant disruption: commuters faced delays, employees and students arrived late or missed work and classes, and local businesses suffered adverse effects.
The political coalition Makabayan questioned the selective application of the police’s “maximum tolerance” policy, claiming it appears to favor certain groups.
Makabayan noted that four of its members are scheduled for arraignment on July 14 over alleged violations of the Public Assembly Act linked to a Labor Day protest, which it described as peaceful and coordinated with police.
Minority Senator Alan Peter S. Cayetano argued that the plunder case against Marcoleta is intended to intimidate lawmakers investigating multibillion‑peso flood control anomalies, suggesting the charges aim to divert attention from the probe.
Cayetano warned that the minority bloc has faced threats of legal action since early February if it assumes control of the Senate, and cited previous detention of a senator as evidence of mounting pressure.
The ombudsman's office announced that Marcoleta would face plunder charges for failing to declare the 75 million pesos in campaign contributions. The announcement followed the ombudsman's investigation into the alleged nondisclosure.
Speaking on the second day of the rally, Marcoleta claimed the funds came from private supporters and characterized the case as fabricated, asserting that the charges aim to prevent him from exposing the flood control investigation and from participating in the upcoming impeachment trial of the vice president.
