Did the Iglesia Ni Cristo leadership pass or did they fail when they adopted the “Occupy EDSA” strategy?
For the longest time in Philippine history, the INC has been an organization no one really wanted to bother with and be bothered by. They were quietly growing and doing what many simply labeled as promoting a “Protestant religion” that many disdained and conveniently avoided. Their churches or chapels and their obedience to leadership made the less religious among us uncomfortable but always we said “to each his own.” They grew in numbers and because in business and politics, numbers makes a difference, their influence and significance also grew so that government and politicians actively wooed them.
The thing is, they are no different from the Catholic Church or groups like the Makati Business Club that also has numbers and did as “the Romans do” in exerting their influence and benefitting from them as well as zealously protecting all of the above. If the INC is or has become “Untouchable”, the blame lies squarely on government, politicians and media.
By our collective actions and messaging, we have raised up the INC as a formidable organization that should not be messed with. Rightly or wrongly, “we” attributed to the Iglesia Ni Cristo almost “mythical” powers and strength in terms of political endorsement, commercial impact, and social influence. It is an example of the statement: “A lie, if repeated often enough, becomes the truth” and that is now the lie or the truth that everybody believes, including the INC. As result the INC organization has actively protected their reputation and influence through moral, legal, political and as in “Occupy EDSA” even mob rule.
This was never a problem for the INC before because the INC leaders of old as well as government officials and politicians back then belonged to a generation of Filipinos who were discreet, diplomatic, patient, firm but fair and had wisdom above all. It was also a time when even the worst of enemies in public or politics had enough sense to conduct back-door negotiations and thought in terms of what was good for all.
Not many people know it but, there has always been a “Liaison Officer” or go between for Malacañang and the Iglesia Ni Cristo who I’m told has a table inside the palace. The last to hold that position was an old guard in the INC organization who effectively held the rank of “political and commercial Ambassador”. Unfortunately that elder gentleman held the “position” for so long but failed to raise up or prepare a suitable and acceptable modern-day replacement.
With the arrival of an equally “unprepared” PNoy and cabinet into Malacañang, it was inevitable that the transition would be very rough to say the least. I honestly don’t know what triggered a falling out in recent times, but what I gathered was it had to do with certain INC “requests” or “recommendations” to government positions made at the beginning of the PNoy administration. To be fair, every politician, church and organization had their own list and preferred bureaus, but word was the new boys in the block did not feel generous especially after PNoy was allegedly advised that the INC was only good for 700,000 votes out of their 2.5 million membership.
Fast-forward to 2015, the INC for the first time in history is rocked by a “scandalous” break-up in their organization as well as claims of kidnapping or illegal detention. To make matters worse it happens when politicians are wooing the INC’s endorsement for 2016 and the legal problem hung like a sword overhead. Remember, the INC has remained very private and not used to having outsiders poking at “their” affairs. So when Secretary Leila de Lima acted as she always does with major cases; by personally supervising, investigating, and leading the DOJ into the INC affair, we can only imagine the horror and panic of the INC leadership.
De Lima was actually doing the INC a favor by taking charge and insuring nothing got out of hand or was mishandled, but the INC on the other hand may have misread De Lima’s actions and motives and feared that it would “dishonor” their revered leader and open them up to public humiliation and political arm twisting for 2016.
Moving forward, it is apparent from the “Occupy EDSA” strategy that the INC is “separated” from the state under the PNoy administration. Even the public statement of Mar Roxas on the “Occupy EDSA” event reflects that the Liberals do not live in fear of the INC. By going public, the INC leadership exposed their diminished influence by resorting to public protest.
The haphazard manner in which the “Occupy EDSA” evolved does not do justice to the legendary organizational talents of the INC that may indicate that the plan was not properly organized or did not meet the full support or imprimatur of the INC leadership. It does not help if the very people participating in a “surprise mass action” were also surprised and clueless why their leaders called them to the DOJ or EDSA.
As far as reputation management is concerned, “Occupy EDSA” tarnished the image of respectability of INC members, known for being clean cut, law-abiding churchgoers.
As far as serious strategic fails are concerned, the “Occupy EDSA” did not have a clear or correct message the public could understand, much less appreciate. They misjudged the consequences of the activity that made more enemies than supporters. They also under valued the profit of riding a bigger horse and drawing in public support. Had the INC aligned their activity and their grievance with those of the OFWs complaining about the BOC, had they met up with students protesting budget cuts and no dorms in SUCs, had they taken a stand against the utter incompetence of the unpopular PNoy misadministration, the INC would have won hearts and minds instead of making more enemies among an already angry crowd.
At this stage, it would be wise for the leaders of INC to discreetly meet with Secretary De Lima and deal with the problem and come out with a resolution. It would be wise for the INC leadership to man up and apologize for the serious disruption and inconvenience that “Occupy EDSA” caused. Finally, it would be even wiser for the INC leadership and members to pray, reflect and learn all they can learn from the lessons, revelations and consequences of “Occupy EDSA” because the one thing it has shown is that the INC needs strategic leaders who can “save them from themselves.”
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