QUIRINO GRANDSTAND, Manila — Lauding yesterday's Iglesia nI Cristo (INC) RALLY as a showcase of democracy, Senate President Francis 'Chiz' Escudero reiterated a call for peace and unity amidst the growing unrest created by the gap between President Ferdinand 'Bongbong' Marcos Jr. and the Duterte family due to what appears to be political differences.

In a text message to the media, Escudero described INC's prayer rally for peace and unity as non-debatable and a show of positivity that is needed to extricate the country from a quagmire that could bring the Philippines into a political crisis.

“Who wouldn’t want that?” the Senate chief asked.
“I surely want that. (A) huge majority of our people as well, whether they are physically present at the prayer rally . . . or not, are demanding for nothing less among our leaders at the very least,” he enthused.

Prior to the 'National Rally for Peace' at the Quirino Grandstand, Jan. 13, the INC announced that the activity was organized to express its support for President Marcos Jr.’s opposition to the impeachment of Vice President 'Inday' Sara Duterte-Carpool, who now face four impeachment complaints filed by various groups, including religious organizations and civil society.

Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin had earlier expressed hope that the INC rally would help clarify issues and contribute to real unity as it is not a political assembly but a call for peace between Marcos and Duterte.
Escudero did not attend the rally but he noted that he was tapped to record a short video message for the event.

"I do not find it productive to throw or address questions and issues that seek to diminish a much-needed call for peace and unity in our country at this time," he remarked.

In November last year, President Marcos Jr. admitted to reporters that he urged his allies in Congress to drop any plan to impeach VP Duterte as this, he believes, would only distract both the House of Representatives and the Senate from their more urgent work of legislating laws that would benefit majority of the Filipino people.

“This is not important," the chief executive cited then. "This does not make any difference to even one single Filipino life. So, why waste time on this?”