Enrile, Marcos warn INC rally may set bad precedent

Chief Presidential Legal Counsel Juan Ponce Enrile warned that the Iglesia ni Cristo's (INC) National Rally for Peace, which supported Vice President Sara Duterte's impeachment defense, could set a problematic precedent by prioritizing a group over the rule of law.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. concurred with Enrile, stating that the INC rally's logic is indeed problematic and could create a detrimental precedent.

Marcos emphasized that impeachment is a constitutional legal process requiring established grounds and evidence, not a direct path to imprisonment.

He also noted that Congress would be compelled to process impeachment complaints if filed, as mandated by law.

However, Marcos believes the timing for such proceedings is impractical, citing the upcoming election campaign period which would make forming a quorum difficult.

Enrile had previously questioned if the nation was ready to "discard or sacrifice the value of rule of law for a person or a group of persons."

When asked for a response to Enrile's statements, INC spokesman Edwil Zabala declined to comment.

Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin previously stated that President Marcos Jr. consistently fosters an environment of open discussion within the Cabinet.