Tindig Pilipinas, a coalition of sectoral organizations, civil society groups, church leaders, and political parties that helped organize last year’s Trillion Peso March, criticized the rally held by members of the Iglesia Ni Cristo (INC).
It can be recalled thatt the gathering was organized in support of Senator Rodante Marcoleta amid allegations involving his campaign contributions.
In a statement, Tindig Pilipinas posed what it described as a simple question: Why does a politician need thousands of people to defend him in the face of a legal investigation?
According to the group, in a constitutional democracy, no public official—regardless of position or political influence—should require the mobilization of thousands of supporters to influence or cast doubt on the impartial enforcement of the law.
Tindig Pilipinas clarified that its concern is not with the right to peaceful assembly or the choice of EDSA as the protest venue.
Rather, it said the issue is the use of collective political and institutional power to shield an individual from accountability.
While acknowledging that public assemblies are a legitimate form of democratic expression, the group said they become concerning when used to protect politicians from legal scrutiny.
The coalition also called for a thorough, impartial, and independent investigation into all individuals allegedly involved in corruption and other anomalies.
(PHOTO COURTESY: MMDA)
