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INC rally ends after two days; some members stay overnight despite early wrap-up

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INC CAMP

INC CAMP 2

Eon Sanchez

ABS-CBN News

<div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/17634231074541763423123031.jpeg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/></div><p>MANILA — The Iglesia ni Cristo (INC) officially ended its anti-corruption rally at the Quirino Grandstand on Monday night, November 17, concluding the event a day earlier than initially planned.</p><p>Despite the early wrap-up, some participants remained on-site and stayed overnight as they prepared to head home to their provinces.</p><p>INC spokesperson Edwil Zabala said the leadership decided to end the program ahead of schedule as many participants were already tired.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/11/17/-pagod-na-rin-ang-mga-tao-iglesia-ends-anti-corruption-rally-after-2-days-2346">‘Pagod na rin ang mga tao’: Iglesia ends anti-corruption rally after 2 days</a></div><p>He added that the group did not need to complete the originally planned three-day event to relay its call for truth, justice, and accountability.</p><p>According to the Manila Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (MDRRMO), the crowd peaked at more than 600,000 rallyists at around 7 p.m. on Monday.</p><p>Before the program officially ended an hour later, the number was estimated at about 550,000.</p><p>INC member Jemson Reyes of Tondo, Manila said the experience was meaningful for many attendees, especially students who traveled to join the program.</p><p>“Masaya po and marami po kaming natutunan at nalaman din po sa nangyayari sa ating gobyerno,” Reyes said.</p><p>“Sinulit lang din po namin, parang bakasyon na rin po para sa aming mga estudyante na nag-aaral buong araw.”</p><div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/17634231735971763423191205.jpeg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/></div><p>Reyes said organizers did not explain why the rally ended earlier than scheduled, but participants remained satisfied. </p><p>“Masaya pa rin po kahit natapos nang two days lang… Para po mas tumibay pa po yung pagkakaisa namin,” he said.</p><p>For John Joseph Soriao, a Society of Communicators and Networkers, International (SCAN)—security arm of INC—member from Bicol and a former Catholic seminarian, the rally was a significant show of unity.</p><p>“Naging magaan ang preparation… bago pa ang takdang date, nakapaghanda na po kaming lahat,” he said.</p><p>He acknowledged the exhaustion many felt after two days at the Grandstand, but said members were grateful that the event remained peaceful.</p><p>“Pagod po talaga. Pero yung puso namin, sobrang nagagalak kasi maayos po ang lahat… ligtas naman po sila,” he said, referring to fellow participants who had begun returning to their provinces.</p><p>Soriao emphasized that the rally was not meant to challenge the government, but to call attention to corruption issues affecting the nation.</p><p>“Hindi po kami against sa government… Kailangan lang po namin na makita ng taumbayan kung sino yung dapat managot sa nangyayaring korapsyon,” he said.</p><p>Soriao also addressed criticisms online, saying he once held similar sentiments before joining the church.</p><p>“Dati rin po akong against… pero nung nakinig po ako sa kaibigan ko, dun ko po nakita na wala namang ginagawang masama ang Iglesia,” he said.</p><p>Several road closures remained in place as of Tuesday morning, including portions of Ayala Bridge, Mendiola Street, Roxas Boulevard, and Liwasang Bonifacio.</p><p>The Manila Police District has yet to announce when the affected roads will reopen.</p><div><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/M1masLbZ3Tk?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span><br/></div><div><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/24IFcae_tBI?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span><br/></div>

<p>The Iglesia ni Cristo officially ended its anti-corruption rally at the Quirino Grandstand on Monday night, November 17, concluding the event a day earlier than initially planned.</p>

The Iglesia ni Cristo officially ended its anti-corruption rally at the Quirino Grandstand on Monday night, November 17, concluding the event a day earlier than initially planned.