Jinggoy Estrada sees no politics in Iglesia gathering

MANILA, Philippines—Senate Pro Tempore Jose “Jinggoy” Estrada said he saw nothing wrong with the mammoth gathering Tuesday of the Iglesia ni Cristo at the Quirino Grandstand, seen as a show of force for impeached Chief Justice Renato Corona.

Estrada said he doubted the gathering of the politically influential Christian church was meant to show support for Corona, whose lead defense counsel, former associate justice Serafin Cuevas, is an INC member.

“Probably not, any religious sect has all the right to hold a bible exposition,” he said.

And although he was not invited to participate in the event, Estrada said that other politicians whose presence were requested by the INC are “free to go. It’s their call.”

“Ako naman ‘pag inimbita ako kung walang impeachment siguro pwede rin akong pumunta. Nagpupunta naman ako sa kanilang mga anniversary prayer rallies, [there is] nothing wrong [with that].”

As of 1 p.m., some 160,000 INC members assembled at the Quirino Grandstand while about 100,000 more have gathered at the Tarlac Recreational Park.

The INC grand evangelical mission is set to begin at 5 p.m.