luhoplay Enrile defends remarks on INC rally: It’s ‘more like political pressure’

MANILAluhoplay, Philippines – Chief presidential legal counsel Juan Ponce Enrile on Sunday defended his earlier remarks questioning the constitutional and rule-of-law implications of the Iglesia ni Cristo (INC) peace rally.

While acknowledging the constitutional right to peaceful assembly, Enrile expressed concerns about the rally’s underlying purpose.

READ: Enrile questions INC ‘logic’ vs VP Sara Duterte impeach raps

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“There is no question that the INC peace rally was a peaceful assembly. But were there ‘grievances’ to be redressed? Pardon me for my impression — there was none,” Enrile said in a statement.

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He also argued that the speeches delivered during the rally indicated its political nature.

“To me, although it was well-intentioned, the peace rally was more like a political pressure to hinder a separate and independent department of the government to perform a constitutional duty,” he stated.

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Enrile emphasized that while President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. can coordinate with other branches of government for effective governance, this must align with constitutional law.

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“On the other hand, the President, as the duly elected Chief Executive of the land, and one of the three independent and separate branches of our government, has the power and duty to coordinate with the two other branches of our government to achieve and maintain a unity and harmony in the efficient operation of the government in our society. No one can do that officially except him,” he maintained.

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In his original post on January 15, Enrile questioned the INC’s support for Marcos’ call on congressional allies not to pursue impeachment proceedings against Vice President Sara Duterte.

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“There is a bigger question. Can the INC, with all its members, amend the 1987 Constitution or suspend any of its provisions? Are we prepared to discard or sacrifice the value of rule of law for a person or a group of persons?” he wrote on Facebook.

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Enrile explained that impeachment is “just a constitutional legal process” designed to hold officials accountable based on evidence, stressing that it is not intended to imprison the accused.

The INC, however, maintained that its “National Rally for Peace” held on January 14 was not political.

INC spokesperson Edwil Zabala described the rally as a “very practical” and “moral” call to government officials rather than a political power play.

READ: ‘Show of force’: 1.8M join INC peace rally

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The Philippine National Police estimated that around 1.8 million INC members participated in rallies across major cities nationwide.luhoplay

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