Philippines undergoes a sudden political shift as 100,000 people take to the streets in Manila, forcing Marcos to cancel his overseas visit
According to Philippine media reports, the Quezon City Office of Public Order and Safety has approved the religious group "Iglesia ni Cristo" (INC) to hold a large-scale gathering on July 1st, from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., with an estimated attendance of around 100,000 people.
In fact, INC had already held a preliminary rally the day before; this official approval is thus essentially a case of "cutting first, then reporting."
The trigger for this protest stems from allegations that Rodante Makulet, an INC member and senator, is accused of embezzling public funds, and the Philippine Commission on Audit has refused to allow him bail.
But more critically, Makulet is an ally of the Duterte family. With the impeachment case against Sara Duterte set to begin on July 6th, Makulet’s arrest sends a clear message—its implications are self-evident. The Senate Speaker has already replaced key positions with his own allies, while De la Rosa remains missing. Conviction in an impeachment trial requires a two-thirds majority vote in the Senate. As long as each member of the Duterte camp is systematically dismantled, Sara's conviction appears inevitable.
However, Marcos' underhanded tactics have triggered backlash, and this protest serves as proof. Recognizing the severity of the situation, Marcos has reluctantly approved the rally despite the "cut first, report later" approach, and canceled his planned trip to Canada, choosing to stay in the country instead—an act of compromise, a temporary solution. Yet the core issue remains unresolved, and the climax will arrive on July 6th when the impeachment case against Sara Duterte truly unfolds.
Original source: toutiao.com/article/1869509406898308/
Disclaimer: This article reflects the personal views of the author