CALL IT ILL-PLANNED and uncoordinated, but the twin rallies—one at Quirino Grandstand for the INC and the other at EDSA People Power Monument in Quezon City, were both meant to choke and strand Metro Manilans to force them to join the “call for transparency, accountability and good governance.”
However, the deep-seated objective was too obvious — unseat President Marcos and replace him with the constitutional successor, the dreaded Vice President Sara Duterte–herself accused of plunder and corruption, among others.
Comparatively though, the INC has a better planned and hugely-funded 3-day rally—with all the obvious logistical and meal support–perhaps even “allowance” for the attendees—by local politicians and contractors under probe for corruption in the flood control projects.
As to the UPI (or United People’s Initiative) of the retired generals that was also supposed to run for three days (but was cut to half on the third day because the QC government did not issue a permit for the venue change) the Armed Forces of the Philippines is now investigating whether there were funds from abroad (principally China) for “the unusual logistical and financial support it got.”
SHORTER THAN EXPECTED
Acting AFP spokesman Rear Admiral Roy Vincent Trinidad said the rally organized by UPI “appeared highly organized and well-funded, possibly with foreign backing,” the Manila Standard reported.
Both rallies failed to meet their objective in three days—the INC said the members had fatigue and many had to report for work, while UPI lead convenor retired Maj. Gen. Romeo Poquiz blasted the QC Government for removing tents, the stage and barriers along White Plains Avenue, effectively forcing an early stop to their program.
He added that they complied to avoid confrontation but would continue the fight.
SUSPICIOUSLY EXTRAVAGANT
“On the monitoring of the AFP for these different activities to ensure the safety and protection of those involved, we have noted that the support system was unusual when it comes to administrative requirements or administrative support given to the participants of the rally,” Trinidad said in a briefing at Camp Aguinaldo on Tuesday.
“The way it was organized—the support system, the food, and the other ancillary equipment or facilities needed—it was organized; it was grand. As they say, the preparation was grand, judging by the quality and nature of the catering alone that suggested substantial funding,” Trinidad said.
Without naming brands, Trinidad said the AFP is checking all possible leads to determine whether the rally was financed by domestic groups or foreign sources.
“Without going to specific names or brands, you will be able to see based on the catering or the food provided. This will give us an indication of the support system or the funding of the activity,” he said.
“We are checking all possible leads, especially when it comes to funding—whether these were done by domestic or possibly even foreign groups.”
DENIAL, DENIAL, DENIAL
But Poquiz, in a post on Facebook rejected the AFP’s claims, saying the organizers could barely feed their own participants.
“What foreign funding? We couldn’t even feed everyone attending our rally,” Poquiz told reporters in an interview.
Trinidad also noted that the rally once again included calls urging the military to “do unconstitutional actions.” But he stressed that the AFP leadership remains firm.
“During the rally conducted over the weekend at the People Power Monument, there were again calls for the AFP to do unconstitutional actions. The statement of the chief of staff has been very clear. The AFP will not involve itself in any unconstitutional activity—not during his watch,” he said.
THANKING SUPPORTERS
UPI thanked supporters who joined the Rally for Accountability, Justice & Integrity from November 16–17. “Your presence—whether on the streets, online, or within your communities—demonstrated the growing public desire for honest governance and a nation anchored on truth,” the group said.
The UPI planned its rally for November 16 to 18 (Sunday to Tuesday) obviously targeting Sunday churchgoers and Monday and Tuesday for those working in Ortigas, Pasig, Mandaluyong and nearby areas.
Participants included retired uniformed personnel, progressive groups, religious organizations (KOJC, JIL and others), PDP-Laban members, civil society, workers, students and Duterte supporters.
Speakers included: Atty. Jimmy Bondoc (PDP-Laban), Jeffrey Celiz (SMNI host), former officials like Mike Defensor (who supplied witness Guteza at the Blue Ribbon Committee) and singer Gigi de Lana (who sang on Day 1).
NOT A BLOCKBUSTER
The target audience was 300,000 but the actual peak was around 2,000–4,000 per day (e.g., 2,000 by noon on Day 2, up to 4,000 in the evening on Day 1 as per police estimates).
The video of resigned former Rep. Elizaldy Co (who had just been criminally charged for plunder, a non bailable offense) was played.