Big prayer rally honors pro-impeach lawmakers

First posted 01:15am (Mla time) Oct 03, 2005
By Christian V. Esguerra, Leila B. Salaverria, Margaux C. Ortiz
Inquirer News Service

LEADERS of a campaign to oust President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo were hailed as heroes yesterday by more than 100,000 followers of one of the country's biggest born-again denominations.

In a marathon rally at Rizal Park, evangelist Bro. Eddie Villanueva prayed over Susan Roces, widow of the late actor Fernando Poe Jr., several members of the "Hyatt 10" and about 50 pro-impeachment members of the House of Representatives.

"We are here to pay tribute to the people who stood for truth," Roces told the crowd from the 5-million strong Jesus Is Lord movement (JIL).

"Hyatt 10" members who attended the rally were teary-eyed as JIL leaders read out a tribute to the group for choosing the "national interest" over their own.

Among those in attendance were former Cabinet officials Teresita Deles, Imelda Nicolas, Corazon “Dinky” Soliman and Florencio “Butch” Abad.

The Hyatt 10, the collective name of the Cabinet officials and agency heads who quit the Arroyo administration on July 8, were honored for "trumpeting their opposition to the ongoing corrupt practices in our country," Villanueva said at a press conference.

Roces, the Hyatt 10 and the lawmakers were introduced to thunderous applause at around 6:15 p.m.

The Inquirer estimated the crowd at 130,000, including those on the field and at the Quirino Grandstand. But the police placed the crowd at 70,000.

"They are welcome here ... They are pro-impeachment, right?" Sister Irene, a JIL usherette, said when asked why she was cheering with the crowd. "We are for the impeachment process not only because of Brother Eddie but because we are for the truth."

JIL, composed of 35 chapters abroad, celebrated its 27th anniversary at the Quirino Grandstand, drawing some 1.5 million members from all over the country, according to estimates by organizers.

Among the lawmakers in attendance were Francis Escudero, Alan Peter Cayetano, Edmund Reyes, Gilbert Remulla, Roilo Golez, Teodoro Casiño, Teofisto Guingona III, Ronaldo Zamora, Agapito “Butch” Aquino, Loretta Ann “Etta” Rosales, Satur Ocampo, Erin Tañada, Juan Edgardo Angara, Rolex Suplico, Renato Magtubo, Rodolfo Plaza, Joel Villanueva and Nereus Acosta.

They received the tribute for "upholding the virtue of patriotism and sense of greatness," said Villanueva, a former presidential candidate who is now calling for the resignation of Ms Arroyo.

"They stood by the truth and didn't allow themselves to be bought or influenced," the evangelist said. "They sided with the greater interest of the Filipino people."

The pro-impeachment members of the House arrived from Manila Hotel wearing apple green shirts. On the front of the shirts were the questions "Ano (What)? Sino (Who)? Kailan (When)?" On the back were the answers "Pagbabago (Change). Ako (I). Ngayon (Now)."

"We pray that GMA (Ms Arroyo) accept the truth that she can't govern effectively anymore, that she should give back the leadership she has stolen," Villanueva said.

The Hyatt 10 and the lawmakers were chosen for recognition by the Philippines for Jesus Movement, a coalition of around 3,000 churches in the country.

Not on the group's list was Brigadier General Francisco Gudani, who was the latest to reveal alleged efforts by the camp of Ms Arroyo to rig the presidential election last year.

His testimony at a Senate hearing last week appeared to buttress the calls for Ms Arroyo to step down after administration members of the House quashed all three impeachment complaints against her on Sept. 6.

Villanueva's Bangon Pilipinas movement called for prayers for the embattled general and Lieutenant Colonel Alexander Balutan. The two officers face court-martial for refusing to heed Ms Arroyo's controversial order not to appear before the Senate without clearance from the President.

"We call on all patriotic, truly God-fearing Christians to pray for two dear brethren in Christ, who have put their own lives and that of their families at stake for the sake of truth," Dong Cucio, the group's spokesperson, said.

Gag order

Villanueva described Executive Order No. 464, which requires officials to get a clearance from the President before they can testify at congressional hearings, as a "brazen gag order and blatant suppression of constitutional provisions."

"It's unexpected in a civilized society like ours," he told reporters.

Unlike EO 464, the revelation by Senator Miriam Defensor-Santiago that former President Corazon Aquino and Senate President Franklin Drilon were plotting to oust Ms Arroyo by Oct. 15 didn't draw much attention from Villanueva.

He laughed off the allegation, saying "it never crossed my imagination."

Farfetched

"It's very farfetched," he said, adding that Aquino's spirit was "so tamed" when they met recently. "We don't believe Cory will mastermind such a plot."

Later at the JIL anniversary program, Villanueva led a symbolic tearing down of the "walls of evil structures in Philippine society."

He led a prayer seeking to banish political corruption, injustice, immorality, covetousness and greed, pride and arrogance, cowardice and ignorance through lies and deception and poverty.

Villanueva said true change would come through "the awesome spiritual power of God."

Family event

There was an absence of streamers and placards bearing political messages at the prayer rally.

Stalls of popular fast-food chains ringed the field while ambulant vendors milled around.

The prayer rally turned out to be a family event, with young children and teenagers tagging along with their parents.

Some spread mats on the ground and ate their packed snacks during program intervals.

Many JIL members also convinced friends from other religious affiliations to attend the event. "We came here to observe because our JIL friends invited us," Elena Mendoza, a 57-year-old Catholic, said.