Manila: Malaca±ang on Tuesday dismissed claims of 'selective justice' made by the Iglesia ni Cristo (INC) concerning the legal challenges facing Senator Rodante Marcoleta, affirming that the government of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. neither shields allies nor targets critics.
According to Philippines News Agency, Palace Press Officer Claire Castro emphasized that the administration's actions are based on evidence rather than political allegiance. 'Sa ngayon ay wala pong selective justice na namamayani sa administrasyon ni Pangulong Marcos Jr. (At present, there is no selective justice prevailing under the administration of President Marcos Jr.),' Castro stated during a Palace briefing.
Castro highlighted that even political allies have faced legal repercussions, referencing former Senator Ramon 'Bong' Revilla Jr., who is detained following an arrest warrant issued by the Sandiganbayan for a non-bailable malversation charge linked to a fraudulent flood control project in Bulacan. 'Kaya nga po kahit na kaibigan, kaalyado, nauna pa po na nakulong, na-detain at ngayon ay humaharap sa kaso ng plunder at graft case (In fact, even friends and allies have previously been jailed, detained, and are now facing plunder and graft cases),' Castro noted.
The Palace official reiterated that President Marcos believes public officials should address allegations through the legal system. "Kapag kayo po ay may ebidensiya at may ebidensiya laban sa inyo, sa korte ninyo na lamang po ito ipaliwanag or depensahan (If there is evidence against you, you should explain or defend yourself in court)," she added.
The INC criticized the current administration's purported 'selective justice' during a mass gathering on EDSA on Tuesday, also expressing support for Marcoleta after the Office of the Ombudsman hinted at potential charges over alleged discrepancies involving PHP75 million in undeclared campaign contributions.
Castro countered that the allegations against Marcoleta were based on his own public admissions. 'First of all, it was Senator Marcoleta who admitted everything about the PHP75 million that he received from the three donors,' she stated. Discrepancies were noted between Marcoleta's Statement of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth (SALN) and his Statement of Contributions and Expenditures (SOCE), leading to further questions.
The Palace dismissed claims linking Marcoleta's reported case to his actions in exposing alleged government flood control project irregularities. 'Hindi po siya nag-iisa dahil ang administrasyon na ito ay gusto po ring malaman ang lahat ng katotohanan at gusto mapanagot ang lahat ng sangkot (He is not alone because this administration also wants to uncover the truth and hold all those involved accountable),' Castro remarked.
She assured that investigations into alleged anomalies in flood control projects would proceed regardless of who raises the issues.
Regarding the INC's unexpected mobilization along EDSA, the Palace refrained from labeling it an intelligence failure. 'Hindi ko po masasagot kung nagkaroon ng intelligence lapses dahil madaling araw po ay nalaman na po namin (I cannot say whether there was an intelligence lapse because we learned about it early in the morning),' Castro explained. Authorities deployed police to manage security and traffic after thousands of INC members caused significant congestion on the capital's busiest road.
