Admiration Iglesia ni Cristo, comprehend

Bulacan, PAOMBONG — Vice President Jejomar Binay said individuals should understand and value the opinions of members of the Iglesia ni Cristo (INC), who blocked traffic on Edsa for almost four days over claims the authorities was meddling in their own sect’s issues.

Binay, who visited several places on Monday in Bulacan, said INC members had the right even though their party caused disruptions and inconvenienced a large number of commuters, motorists and residents.

“Consequence talaga ng mga protesta at rally ang ganoon; dapat unawain ang mga protesters kung naging pasaway man sila,” (That’s the consequence of protest actions and rallies; people should understand the protesters if they caused inconvenience) the Vice President told reporters in Barangay Malumot here.

He added, “The Constitution guarantees our right to join protest actions and rallies. That is part of our freedom of expression, freedom of speech.”

INC members began assembling in front in Manila to denounce for allegedly giving undue focus on a criminal charge filed by the expelled member, a former minister, Justice Secretary Leila de Lima.

The protesters assembled facing the Edsa Shrine on Ortigas Avenue before moving to the corner of Shaw and Edsa Boulevard and then marched to Edsa.

On Monday morning, INC leaders requested their associates to go home and called off the demonstration.

Binay, who has declared intent to find the presidency belied claims that his statements in favor of the INC were designed to keep up with the support of the sect recognized to vote during elections as a bloc.

Binay socialized with sellers and market goers and toured the Paombong public marketplace on Monday.

In his next stop in Barangay Malumot, wall clocks were spread by Binay and joined them. The picture of the Vice President was featured on the wall clocks.