Students try to shield themselves from the heat of the noonday sun at President Corazon Aquino High School in the Baseco community in Tondo, Manila, on April 2, 2024. Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN News

MANILA (1ST UPDATE) — The Palace has suspended classes and work in government offices in the cities of Pasay and Manila on January 13 in light of a "National Rally for Peace" planned by religious group Iglesia Ni Cristo.

Palace Memorandum Circular No. 76 issued on Friday, noted the numerous participants expected to travel to and within those cities in justifying the suspensions.

“However, those agencies whose functions involve the delivery of basic and health services, preparedness/response to disasters and calamities, and/or the performance of other vital services shall continue their operations and render the necessary services,” the Circular read.

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The suspension of work in private companies and offices meanwhile, is left to the discretion of their respective heads.

The City Government of Quezon City made a similar announcement in solidarity with the Iglesia Ni Cristo’s rally.

In an official statement the QC Government suspended classes from pre-school to senior high school, including the Alternative Learning System, as well as work in local government offices on Monday.

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“Suspendido ang face-to-face classes sa public day care to senior high school, pati na ang Alternative Learning System (ALS) sa Lunes, Enero 13, 2025. Wala ring pasok sa mga opisina ng lokal na pamahalaan ng Quezon City, bagama’t tuloy ang online transactions sa pamamagitan ng https://qceservices.quezoncity.gov.ph/,” the statement read.

The influential INC said it is holding the gathering at the Quirino Grandstand in Ermita, Manila to support President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.'s position that impeaching Vice President Sara Duterte would be a waste of Congress' time and would "not make a difference to even one single Filipino life."

He discouraged lawmakers last November against moves to impeach Duterte. Leaders of the House majority also said that month that there was no discussion among members of impeachment.

They also said, however, that the House would be bound by duty to process any complaints that may be filed.

Duterte has been under investigation by the House Committee on Good Government and Public Accountability for alleged irregularities in how the Office of the Vice President.

Groups have filed three separate impeachment complaints against Duterte at the House, with a fourth one possibly being prepared.

The complaints have yet to be forwarded to the Office of House Speaker Martin Romualdez, whom Duterte has accused of being behind the challenges against her at the lower house.

Meanwhile, Interior and Local Government Secretary Jonvic Remulla said policemen would be deployed to ensure the safety of the public during the INC peace rally.

“Full contingent naman nakabantay sa kanila. They have the right to air their grievances, they have the right to assembly enshrined in the Constitution so we have no problem with that,” Remulla said.

Remulla said the police deployment to the INC rally would be like any other major public event such as the recent Traslacion during the Feast of Jesus Nazareno in Quiapo, Manila.

“Of course, like all major [events], katulad kahapon sa Traslacion, 1,700 policemen were deployed to ensure their protection, the same will be with this rally done this Monday. We’ll send a contingent to make sure that everything is orderly,” Remulla said.

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