Members of the Iglesia ni Cristo (INC) gathered along EDSA in White Plains and in Manila to oppose the planned filing of a plunder case against Sen. Rodante Marcoleta.
In a statement, INC spokesperson Edwil Zabala said the gathering was held to show support for Marcoleta after the Office of the Ombudsman announced that the senator could face a non-bailable plunder case this week.
Zabala said the INC does not oppose the enforcement of the law but opposes what he described as the distortion of the law, particularly if it is intended to conceal corruption.
He also questioned why Marcoleta could be charged, saying the senator had been among those leading efforts to expose alleged anomalies involving flood control projects.
According to Zabala, it is alarming that government institutions are allegedly being used against individuals with different political positions.
The INC spokesperson also said the group believes that if Marcoleta is arrested and detained while the case is pending, he would no longer be able to continue exposing those allegedly involved in the flood control issue.
Zabala further asserted that the campaign donations received by the senator did not come from government funds.
He added that the Commission on Elections had previously ruled that Marcoleta committed no violation in connection with the acceptance of campaign contributions.
The gathering followed the Ombudsman’s announcement that Marcoleta may face a non-bailable plunder charge.
The INC said its members assembled to express support for the senator and to voice their opposition to the planned filing of the case, while reiterating their position that they support the enforcement of the law but oppose what they described as its misuse.
