Tindig Pilipinas hits INC rally backing Marcoleta

MANILA, Philippines – Tindig Pilipinas, organizers of the Trillion Peso March, on Wednesday criticized the Iglesia ni Cristo (INC)-led gathering in support of Sen. Rodante Marcoleta, saying mass demonstrations should not be used to shield public officials from legal scrutiny.

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In a statement, Tindig Pilipinas said it strongly opposes the rally held in support of Marcoleta, who is facing an impending plunder case over his alleged failure to disclose P75 million in campaign donations.

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“Why should any politician need tens of thousands of people to defend him against a legal investigation?” the group said.

“In a constitutional democracy, no public official—regardless of popularity, office, political influence, or institutional backing—should require the organized mobilization of thousands of supporters to influence, discourage, or cast doubt upon the impartial enforcement of the law,” it added.

The Office of the Ombudsman earlier recommended filing plunder and indirect bribery charges against Marcoleta after investigators found that the alleged P75 million donation was not reflected in his statement of assets, liabilities and net worth (SALN).

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Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla later announced that a plunder complaint would be filed before the Sandiganbayan this week.

The INC mounted a mass gathering early Tuesday, drawing at least 15,000 individuals, mostly members of the religious group, according to the Quezon City Police District.

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Organizers later secured a permit to hold the gathering until 8 p.m. Wednesday.

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The sect’s spokesperson, Bro. Edwil Zabala, said in a message livestreamed over the INC-owned television station Net 25 that the group is opposing the application of “selective justice” and the “distortion of law” in the case against Marcoleta.

While recognizing the constitutional right to peaceful assembly, Tindig Pilipinas said public protests become “deeply troubling” when they are organized primarily to protect political figures from accountability.

“While public assemblies are legitimate expressions of democratic participation, they become deeply troubling when they are organized primarily to shield a political figure from legal scrutiny or to project public pressure upon institutions charged with enforcing the law,” it said.

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Tindig Pilipinas then called for a thorough and impartial investigation of all individuals implicated in corruption allegations, regardless of their political affiliations.

“Justice loses its legitimacy when it becomes selective, and democracy is weakened whenever accountability becomes partisan,” it said.

The group also urged the public to reject attempts to transform “symbols of our democracy” into instruments used to protect individuals from facing the rule of law.

“Edsa is more than a physical venue,” it said.

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“Its legacy should never be appropriated to weaken these very principles or to provide political cover for individuals facing credible allegations of corruption or other grave misconduct.” /dp