Manila: Malaca±ang on Tuesday stated that protest actions would not absolve Sen. Rodante Marcoleta from any complaints regarding his alleged undeclared campaign donations totaling PHP75 million. This announcement followed a surprise rally by thousands of Iglesia ni Cristo (INC) members along EDSA People Power Monument in Quezon City. The rally aimed to show support for Marcoleta and criticized the Office of the Ombudsman's plan to file a plunder complaint against him, labeling it as 'selective justice.'
According to Philippines News Agency, Palace Press Officer Claire Castro informed that President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. respects the INC members' right to assemble but was perplexed by the necessity of such a significant rally to express solidarity with Marcoleta. Castro conveyed the President's thoughts: "He is wondering why the filing of a case against or the implication of Sen. Marcoleta in a case would require our respected brethren in the INC to stage a rally of this magnitude."
Castro emphasized that while the President listens to calls for transparency, accountability, and the rule of law, he believes public demonstrations are not the proper means to secure a person's acquittal. She clarified that Marcos has no authority over the complaint against Marcoleta since it falls under the jurisdiction of the Office of the Ombudsman.
Castro stated, "Holding a rally is not the answer to make a case disappear or to immediately absolve a person. A person's acquittal is decided in court. It cannot be achieved through a rally."
The President was reportedly puzzled as to why he became the focal point of the protest if the rally's objective was to oppose the filing of a case against Marcoleta. When questioned about the possibility of a dialogue between Marcos and INC executive minister Eduardo Manalo, Castro noted that the President needs to understand the group's requests if such a meeting were to occur. She remarked, "We have not received any information on the President's plans regarding this. If they are to meet, we should first know what their request is. They are the ones staging the protest, so what exactly is their goal?"
