Although she believed she was betrayed by former allies in the UniTeam tandem, Vice President Sara Duterte still expressed belief that a united country is the way toward progress and development.
Vice President Sara Duterte delivers a message for the Iglesia Ni Cristo's National Rally For Peace held in Manila on Monday, Jan. 13, 2025. (Photo screengrab from Duterte's video message)
In a short video message on Monday, Jan. 13, the official thanked the Iglesia Ni Cristo (INC) for holding a National Rally for Peace, which is aimed at showing support for President Marcos’ stance against Duterte’s impeachment cases.
As of the latest report from the Manila Police District (MPD), more than 1.5 million INC members have gathered at the Quirino Grandstand in Rizal Park, Manila.
“Ito ay isang makapangyarihang pagpapakita ng pagkakaisa at pananampalataya na ang tanging hangad lamang ay kapayapaan tungo sa kaunlaran ng ating bansa (This is a powerful show of unity and faith that only seeks peace toward the progress of our country),” she said.
“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 (I thank our brothers and sisters of Iglesia Ni Cristo in your continuous effort to bring understanding and unity to our countrymen),” she added.
Earlier this month, the INC announced the peace rally to support Marcos’ stance that the impeachment cases lodged against Duterte will do nothing to help the current plight of Filipinos.
The officials, who won under the platform of unity in 2022, had a falling out that purportedly resulted to the massive cut in the Office of the Vice President’s (OVP) proposed 2025 budget.
The Vice President also claimed that she hired someone to have the First Couple and Speaker Martin Romualdez assasinated if she herself gets killed.
But on Monday, she emphasized the need for unity amid the current challenges facing the country.
“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 (In the midst of rising prices, poverty, and other crises, a peaceful and united Philippines will never waver and will continue to rise from the challenges),” she said.
The religious group, which endorsed the candidacies of both Marcos and Duterte in the 2022 polls, appealed for unity and peace during the rally.
Malacañan earlier suspended government work and classes in all levels in Pasay and Makati in view of the rally.