Disgruntled members of the Iglesia Ni Cristo rushed to the Department of Justice in Padre Faura Street, Manila on Thursday. They tried to block the decoy car of Justice Secretary Leila de Lima whom they accused of interfering with their affair, including the investigation of the recent INC crisis. Photo by JOEL LIPORADA
Disgruntled members of the Iglesia Ni Cristo rushed to the Department of Justice in Padre Faura Street, Manila on Thursday. They tried to block the decoy car of Justice Secretary Leila de Lima whom they accused of interfering with their affair, including the investigation of the recent INC crisis. Photo by JOEL LIPORADA – Rappler.com

The INC readies to rumble

Inday Espina-Varona
Posted at 08/27/2015 8:59 PM | Updated as of 08/27/2015 10:03 PM
Someone called some friends to a “VERY URGENT” meeting over lunch today. The big news, shared by these excited folks, was supposedly about the beginning of the end of President Benigno Aquino III.
And the chosen hammer of justice is supposed to be … the Iglesia ni Cristo.
The story goes: Today, some 200,000 members of the INC will mob the Department of Justice. Yes, a big crowd was there this afternoon – word is, they will stay on and on. They are protesting Justice Secretary de Lima’s “selective justice.”
The plot is: that more and more people will join that crowd and then a big push to EDSA takes place on Friday till Monday. Net25 on its Facebook page says members from 29 districts will be reinforcing their comrades starting tomorrow.
I was stunned, silent for 30 seconds. And then I burst out laughing.
Considering the source was part of the group that promised the end of days last year during the EDSA anniversary – and barely mustered enough forces to fill the shadows of the overpass – the ambitious goal seems like a joke.
But there is nothing amusing about the plan. The INC can mobilize big numbers. It has shut down cities with medical missions alone.
Any INC-backed move should raise the hackles of all those seeking genuine democratic social change in this country.
That de Lima – and the entire Aquino government — is guilty of selective justice is nothing new. It’s TRUE.
I’ve said that before. Just look at the pork cases and how their tame pets and dirty tricks folk are kept safe from prosecution. Just look at Mamasapano and PNOY trying to coddle his best buddy Alan Purisima. Just look at all the corruption in the agriculture sector and how Sec. Prospero Alcala remains untouchable.
The list goes on and on. Yes, the government practices selective justice.
But if the INC thinks I’m going to believe its leaders and allies can give us a brand new day, they can think again.
The INC is a connoisseur of power. Their leaders enjoy playing kingmakers, parlaying this role into juicy government-post quotas for their members and allies. Plus, they’re in bed with Vice President Jejomar Binay (though they have been and are in bed with virtually any powerful politician in this country).
If there is a serious feud, it’s just another elitist squabble – especially when you add the presence of Peping and Tingting Cojuangco.
Really now, can the INC by its lonesome bring down this government? No. Even if they muster a crowd of a million, they will remain isolated until and unless they are able to galvanize a genuine mass movement.
But why would the masses – not matter how angry at PNOY – go to their aid? They are an instrument of the powerful, always have been.
So some people are trying to drop some names. Good thing the people they talk to like to verify whatever they hear. No, the broad mass movement has no truck with this stunt.
But I’d take it very seriously. As am sure Malacanang is. The INC has members who can command armed men with access to weapons. If it comes to that. The government – which has its share of thugs – will have been preparing countermoves.
It can get ugly. For them. For us. Hopefully not too much for ordinary citizens. As far as I’m concerned, they can tear each other to shreds. That would give the rest of us some breathing space.
On the other hand, conspiracy theorists are starting to whisper — that it may be a ploy to make the stumbling, blubbering Aquino government look kawawa and heroic again.





INC members block reported De Lima van

Iglesia ni Cristo members also heckle a reporter of broadcast giant ABS-CBN, which has reported on controversies surrounding the INC

'DON'T INTERFERE.' Members of the Iglesia ni Cristo block a vehicle they believe is carrying Justice Secretary Leila de Lima at the DOJ in Padre Faura, Manila, on August 27, 2015. Photo by Joel Liporada/Rappler
'DON'T INTERFERE.' Members of the Iglesia ni Cristo block a vehicle they believe is carrying Justice Secretary Leila de Lima at the DOJ in Padre Faura, Manila, on August 27, 2015. Photo by Joel Liporada/Rappler
MANILA, Philippines – Iglesia ni Cristo (INC) members blocked a van they believed was carrying Justice Secretary Leila de Lima on Thursday afternoon, August 27, as INC members staged a rally in front of the Department of Justice (DOJ).
The vehicle was at the DOJ gate when INC members stopped it from leaving.
Many of them carried tarpaulins slamming De Lima, who celebrated her 56th birthday on Thursday.
One of the tarpaulins said, “Malabo yata kay De Lima ang gobyerno at Iglesia (De Lima couldn’t tell the difference between the government and the Iglesia)."
Another said: “Mas maraming isyu ang dapat unahin. Huwag ang pakikialam sa amin! (More issues need to be prioritized. Don’t interfere with us!)"
On the same day that the politically influential INC held the rally, De Lima announced she is running for senator in May 2016.

INC members vote as a bloc.
ABS-CBN reporter heckled, too
Their rally against De Lima comes after expelled INC minister Isaias Samson Jr filed an illegal detention case against INC leaders before the DOJ.
Samson earlier claimed INC officials placed him under house arrest for running a blog criticizing INC leaders.
Senior Superintendent Marcelino Pedroso said police couldn’t confirm if the vehicle carries De Lima. Some reporters and protestors, however, the justice secretary was riding the vehicle.
Pedroso said this shouldn’t have happened. “Kakausapin po natin ang mga leaders (We will talk to their leaders),” he said.
The INC members didn’t stop at blocking De Lima’s reported vehice.
They also heckled ABS-CBN reporter Doris Bigornia after ABS-CBN, like other media outlets, reported on controversies surrounding the INC.
The crowd chanted, “Biased! Biased! Biased!” Later, referring to a show by Bigornia’s counterpart at rival network GMA-7, the protestors said: “Kay Susan tayo! (We’re All for Susan!)" – Rappler.com