MANILA, Philippines — A surprise rally by members of the Iglesia ni Cristo (INC) near the People Power Monument caused road closures and traffic adjustments along EDSA on Tuesday, affecting one of Metro Manila’s busiest transport corridors.
The gathering affected motorists and commuters who rely on EDSA, a major route that carries more than 427,000 vehicles daily based on data from the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA).
The MMDA said earlier Tuesday that the rally had no prior coordination with the agency, prompting traffic management adjustments as road closures were implemented along the affected areas.
The rally, which organizers said was held in support of Senator Rodante Marcoleta, who is facing Ombudsman-recommended plunder and bribery complaints over alleged campaign donations, and for transparency and better democracy under the Marcos administration, prompted the MMDA to implement closures along the EDSA Ortigas Service Road northbound, EDSA Ortigas Flyover northbound and southbound, and White Plains Avenue eastbound and westbound.
Traffic conditions remained a challenge throughout the day, with the MMDA monitoring moderate to heavy traffic along affected portions of EDSA.
In an interview with The Manila Times, the MMDA said traffic slowed along key portions of EDSA, with northbound congestion stretching from near the EDSA William Street crossing toward White Plains Avenue.
The southbound traffic stretch reached Liberty Avenue before Main Avenue, with delays beginning around EDSA Connecticut, affecting workers, commuters, and motorists traveling through major commercial and employment hubs in Ortigas and Quezon City, as well as business districts and transport routes connected to EDSA.
The Philippine National Police (PNP) estimated the rally crowd at around 15,000 on Tuesday evening, while MMDA personnel remained deployed in the area and continued traffic management operations as of press time.
Beyond the traffic delays, the disruption also highlighted the wider impact of activities along EDSA, where even temporary road changes can affect thousands of daily commuters and motorists.
The rally also raised a broader question among road users and the public: did the cause behind the uncoordinated gathering justify the impact experienced by commuters affected by the traffic disruption?
