In true Philippine fashion, the Iglesia ni Cristo’s rally for peace quickly morphed into a live-action telenovela featuring a colorful cast of political gatecrashers. 

Despite the INC’s clear instructions to leave politics at the door, it seems no one read the memo—or, more likely, they read it and laughed. Some tried to hijack the event by asking followers to arrive decked out in VP Sara Duterte’s signature green, which would have made the rally look less like a call for peace and more like a campaign rally flashback.

The pièce de résistance? Congressman Marcoleta, who apparently mistook the stage for a congressional podium. His off-script rant turned what was supposed to be a solemn event into an unmissable comedy sketch, dragging his House colleagues in the process. It was a masterclass in missing the point, as well as proof that in Philippine politics, the only thing off-limits is subtlety. Peace rally? More like a “peace out” on apolitical pretenses!

Oh did we already mention the glaring presence of senators and politicians closely identified with the Dutertes? Praying for peace or fishing for votes?