President Marcos is closely monitoring the Iglesia ni Cristo (INC) rally and has ordered law-enforcement agencies to ensure public safety with maximum tolerance, Malacañang said Sunday evening, Nov. 16.

Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Undersecretary Claire Castro said this as members of the Iglesia ni Cristo (INC) trooped to Rizal Park in Manila for the first day of their three-day transparency, accountability, and justice rally amid ongoing investigations into anomalous infrastructure projects.

In an interview with State-run PTV-4, Castro said the President instructed both the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) and the Philippine National Police (PNP) to secure the rally while respecting the rights of the INC members and the wider public.

“Ipinag-utos niya na… ayusin at pagbutihin ang kanilang trabaho sa pagprotekta sa ating mga kababayan (He instructed them do their work well in protecting the public),” she said.

She added that the President remains fully briefed on developments surrounding the protest action.

Despite the protest they organized, Castro said the INC has no conflict with President Marcos, as she believed its members only want what Marcos wants — to get to the bottom of the issue.

“Nakikiisa po sila sa hangarin ng Pangulo na mapanagot ang lahat ng mga sangkot sa mga maanomalyang flood control projects at imprastraktura (They support the President’s goal of holding accountable all those involved in anomalous flood-control projects and infrastructure),” she said.

Fast action needed to restore trust

Asked about concerns regarding public trust amid the corruption controversy, Castro said the administration is working swiftly.

“Tuloy-tuloy pa rin po ang pag-iimbestiga para po mapanagot ang dapat mapanagot (The investigation continues so that those who must be held accountable will be held accountable),” she said.

She added that the government understands that speed and decisiveness in the ongoing probe are crucial to reassure the public.

Responding to Vice President Sara Duterte’s call for the administration to uphold freedom of expression, Castro insisted that no such rights are being curtailed.

“Tuloy-tuloy po ang pagsasalita ng mga kababayan natin (People continue to speak freely),” she said.

The Palace Press Officer noted that President Marcos has not shut down networks, revoked franchises, or blocked reporters, all issues associated with the Duterte administration.

“So hindi na po niya kailangang paalalahanan ang Pangulo at ang gobyernong ito na panatilihin ang karapatan ng tao sa kanilang pananalita (So she doesn’t need to remind the President and the government to uphold the people’s right to free speech),” Castro said.

“Siguro noong nakaraang administrasyon medyo bawal po at maraming napahinto sa pagsasalita at naging kritiko laban sa kanila. Hindi po yan gawain ng Pangulong Marcos Jr (Perhaps in the previous administration, speaking out was somewhat restricted, and many were silenced, especially those who became critics of the government. That is not something the President does),” she added.

Castro urged the public not to direct anger at the President as the corruption probe continues.

“Ang Pangulo po mismo ang nagpapa-imbestiga, so ’wag po sa pangulo ituon ang inyong galit (The President himself ordered the investigation, so do not direct your anger at him),” she said.

She warned that some individuals implicated in irregular projects wanted the President gone for their benefit.

“Gusto [nilang] mawala ang pangulo sa pwesto para maging tuloy-tuloy ang kanilang maliligayang araw (They want the President removed so their good days continue),” Castro said.

“Pagka nawala na po ang Pangulo sa pwesto at iba ang nilagay nila, malamang po ay mawala na ang pag-iimbestigang ito, lalo po kung kaalyado sila ng tinatamaan (If the President is removed, for sure this investigation will be over, especially if they are allies of the ones implicated),” she added.