FAITH GROUPS MOBILIZE: White Ribbon March Demands Fiscal Accountability as INC Ends Three-Day Protest Rallies
Metro Manila became the epicenter of contrasting faith-based mass actions this week, highlighting a deepening friction between civil society, religious organizations, and the government over state accountability and the rule of law.
What began on Sunday as a Catholic-led anti-corruption march quickly transformed into a volatile week of street protests, culminating in a massive, three-day sequence of rallies by the Iglesia Ni Cristo (INC) that snarled capital traffic before concluding Thursday night.
The White Ribbon March: Faith Sectors Unite Against Anomalies
The week of mobilization kicked off on Sunday, June 28, 2026, with the "White Ribbon March." Organised by Caritas Philippines—the humanitarian arm of the Catholic Church—alongside the Inter-Religious Leaders Council for National Transformation (IRLCNT) and various Evangelical Christian groups, the non-partisan protest sought to revive the momentum of the "Trillion Peso March" movement.
The assembly began with a high-profile midday Mass at the EDSA Shrine, presided over by Kidapawan Bishop Jose Colin Bagaforo. Following the service, thousands of attendees dressed in white shirts marched toward the EDSA People Power Monument, tying white ribbons along the route to symbolize their demand for purity and transparency in governance.
Organizers leveled their grievances directly at the administration, demanding absolute accountability over a staggering ₱1.9 trillion discrepancy in national flood control infrastructure funds. The multi-faith coalition also voiced strict opposition to the persistence of political dynasties and stated they are staying vigilant regarding the impending impeachment proceedings against Vice President Sara Duterte. Parallel white-ribbon demonstrations were also reported in key regional hubs, including Iloilo City.
INC Sparks EDSA Stand-off Over 'Selective Justice'
The geopolitical landscape shifted abruptly on Tuesday, June 30, when the Iglesia Ni Cristo (INC) launched a sudden, massive show of force. Thousands of INC members occupied the convergence points near the EDSA People Power Monument and White Plains in Quezon City.
The mobilization was triggered by looming plunder charges drafted by the Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Office of the Ombudsman against Senator Rodante Marcoleta, a high-profile INC member. The charges allege severe financial anomalies concerning undeclared campaign donations from the 2025 mid-term elections. INC leadership fiercely defended Marcoleta, accusing the current administration of weaponizing state legal apparatuses and practicing "selective justice."
The unannounced demonstration caught local authorities off guard, triggering severe gridlock across Metro Manila's main transport artery. While INC organizers initially petitioned to extend their rally permits through Friday, July 3, mounting public outrage over commuter paralysis forced local governments to step in. On Wednesday, July 1, the Quezon City government officially revoked the group's temporary assembly extensions, citing violations of designated physical boundaries and the disruption of public order.
Shift to Freedom Parks and Peaceful Dissolution
Blocked from Quezon City's primary thoroughfares, the momentum of the INC protest pivoted to the City of Manila. On Thursday, July 2, thousands of members redirected their assembly to Liwasang Bonifacio—a legally designated freedom park requiring no prior local government permits. Simultaneous, smaller-scale pocket protests by INC members were also monitored at Rizal Park in Davao City.
Photo Courtesy of Manila PIO
The high-stakes standoff reached a peaceful resolution late Thursday evening. In a nationwide broadcast at approximately 9:00 PM, INC official spokesperson Edwil Zabala formally announced the conclusion of the three-day rally. Zabala expressed gratitude to the members for their solidarity and explicitly instructed all remaining contingents at Liwasang Bonifacio and regional sites to vacate the premises and return home safely.
While the streets of the capital have cleared, political analysts note that this week's dual mobilizations underscore a highly polarized atmosphere. With the Catholic Church pushing heavily for fiscal scrutiny and the INC fiercely protecting its political allies, the intersection of religion and state politics remains highly volatile heading into the second half of the year.
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