Malacañang on Tuesday said protest actions cannot exempt Sen. Rodante Marcoleta from legal proceedings over allegations involving P75 million in undeclared campaign donations, stressing that rallies are not a substitute for the judicial process.
The statement came after thousands of members of the Iglesia ni Cristo (INC) staged a surprise rally near the EDSA People Power Monument in Quezon City to express support for Marcoleta and denounce the Office of the Ombudsman’s plan to file a plunder complaint against the senator, describing it as “selective justice.”
During a Palace press briefing, Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. respects the constitutional right of INC members to peacefully assemble but questioned why such a large demonstration was necessary in connection with the case involving Marcoleta.
“Nagtataka siya dahil masasampahan ng kaso si Sen. Marcoleta or nasasangkot sa isang kaso si Sen. Marcoleta ay kailangan nang maglunsad ng ganitong kalaking rally ang mga kapatiran, ang ating iginagalang na mga kapatiran sa INC,” Castro said.
“But still, ang Pangulo po ay nakikinig at ginagalang sila. Ang tangi nating hiling ay igalang nating lahat ‘yung mga naaapektuhan na hindi dapat maapektuhan,” she added.
Castro said the President continues to listen to calls for transparency, accountability, and the rule of law while respecting the public’s right to peaceful assembly.
However, she emphasized that demonstrations cannot determine the outcome of legal cases and that only the courts can decide whether a person should be acquitted.
“Ang panawagan lang ng Pangulo, hindi lang sa mga kababayan nating naapektuhan. Doon sa mga nagra-rally. Ang pagra-rally ay hindi po sagot para mawala at maabswelto agad ang isang tao sa isang kaso. Ang pag-abswelto ng isang tao ay sa korte. Hindi po ito madadaan sa rally,” Castro said.
She also clarified that President Marcos has no authority over the complaint against Marcoleta because the case falls under the jurisdiction of the Office of the Ombudsman.
Castro also questioned why the President became the focus of the protest when the complaint was initiated by an independent constitutional body.
Asked whether Marcos is considering a dialogue with INC Executive Minister Eduardo Manalo, Castro said there has been no information regarding such a meeting.
“Wala pa pong napaparating sa atin kung ano ang balak ng Pangulo patungkol dito. Siguro dapat malaman natin kung mag-uusap sila kung ano ba ang hiling. Sila naman po kasi ang nagpu-protesta. So ano po ba ang pinaka-goal dito?” she said.
The rally was held after the Office of the Ombudsman moved to pursue a plunder complaint against Marcoleta over alleged undeclared campaign donations amounting to P75 million. INC members have described the planned filing as an act of “selective justice.”
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