Sara Duterte thanks INC for staging peace rally
Vice President Sara Duterte has given a message in light of Iglesia Ni Cristo's National Rally for Peace.
"Isang mapagpalang araw sa aking mga mahal na kababayan. Taos-puso akong bumabati sa lahat ng lumahok sa malawakang Peace Rally ngayong araw," she started in her video, which was posted on her Facebook page on Monday, Jan. 13.
"Ito ay isang makapangyarihang pagpapakita ng pagkakaisa at pananampalataya na ang tanging hangad lamang ay kapayapaan tungo sa kaunlaran ng ating bansa. Nagpapasalamat ako sa ating mga kapatid sa Iglesia ni Cristo sa inyong patuloy na pagsisikap na maghatid ng pagkakaunawaan at pagkakaisa sa ating mga kababayan," the vice president said.
Duterte, who has received three impeachment complaints following the alleged misuse of funds for her offices, added that despite the rising prices of goods, poverty, and other challenges, a united country will always overcome adversity.
"Sa gitna ng tumataas na presyo ng bilihin, kahirapan, at iba pang suliranin, ang isang mapayapa at nagkakaisang Pilipinas ay hindi kailanman matitinag, at paulit-ulit na aahon sa gitna ng hamon ng panahon. Muli, sa aking mga kababayan, maraming salamat sa inyong malasakit sa bayan," she ended.
INC held a peace rally at the Quirino Grandstand, which was reportedly attended by about 1.8 million people.
On Friday, a news anchor from an INC-owned station clarified that the event was "not meant to take sides" but emphasized it was "for peace."
"The upcoming peace rally in Liwasang Bonifacio is for peace. It is not for VP Sara. It is not meant to take sides. It is not in favor of anyone, not for VP Sara,” said Net25 news anchor Ali Sotto. “Let’s be objective. Let’s be factual. The rally is for peace.”
The religious organization previously said that the event was organized to express its support for Marcos' opposition to the impeachment of Vice President Sara Duterte.
"Ang Iglesia ni Cristo po ay para sa kapayapaan. Ayaw po natin sa anumang uri ng kaguluhan na manggagaling sa kaninumang panig," Gen Subardiaga, who hosts Sa Ganang Mamamayan, said. "Ngayon pa lamang po, mga kababayan, ay nag-oorganisa na ang mga lokal sa buong Iglesia para magkaroon ng malalaking pagtitipon."
The president earlier said he does not support calls for Duterte's impeachment as it would not help the Filipino people.
"What will happen if someone files an impeachment? It will tie down the House [of Representatives], it will tie down the Senate, it will just take up time and for what? For nothing,” Marcos said.
“None of this will help improve a single Filipino life," he stressed. “As far as I’m concerned, it is a storm in a teacup.”
