The Iglesia Ni Cristo (INC) staged a protest action at the People Power Monument in Quezon City on June 29, 2026, to express support for Senator Rodante Marcoleta, who is facing possible plunder complaints over P75 million in campaign donations he allegedly received during the 2025 election period.
In a statement, INC spokesperson Edwin Zabala said the religious organization is not against enforcing the law but opposes bending the law to cover up corruption. “We support what Senator Marcoleta stands for because it is also our position. We call for transparency, accountability, justice, and peace. That is why we want to make our voice heard by the authorities: even if they imprison Senator Marcoleta, we will not stop demanding justice for our fellow citizens who were robbed,” Zabala said.
Selective justice allegations
Zabala emphasized that selective justice is an injustice, and the INC will not remain silent in the face of what they see as a grave assault on justice. “We want to let them know that selective justice is an injustice, and we will not remain silent in the face of this very large trampling of justice that our fellow citizens are demanding,” he added.
Marcoleta, a member of the INC, was the former chairman of the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee when it launched an investigation into anomalous flood control projects in 2025. The probe stemmed from President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.'s call for an in-depth investigation into irregularities in flood control projects across the country, following massive floods during the southwest monsoon and a series of typhoons.
Marcoleta's removal and witnesses
Following a change in Senate leadership, Marcoleta was removed as Blue Ribbon chairman and replaced by Senator Panfilo “Ping” Lacson. Among the witnesses presented by Marcoleta during a committee hearing was Orly Guteza, who claimed to be a former security personnel of Ako Bicol party-list Representative Elizaldy “Zaldy” Co, tasked with delivering millions in cash inside suitcases to former House Speaker and Leyte Representative Martin Romualdez.
Guteza’s testimony allegedly motivated 18 other former security personnel of Co to come forward, claiming they also delivered cash in suitcases to several lawmakers in both chambers and other prominent personalities.
Plunder charge as non-bailable offense
Zabala expressed puzzlement over why Marcoleta, who is pushing to expose those involved in massive plunder, is the one being charged. “What we find puzzling is why he -- the one pushing to expose those allegedly involved in the massive plunder in the Philippines -- is the one being charged and imprisoned, instead of those who were exposed,” he said.
He noted that plunder is a non-bailable offense, meaning Marcoleta would be detained and unable to post bail until his trial concludes, effectively silencing him. “The charge being filed against Senator Marcoleta is plunder, which is a non-bailable offense. This means he would be detained and would not be allowed to post bail until his trial is concluded. In other words, he would no longer be able to continue exposing those allegedly involved in the plunder that took place,” Zabala said.
Campaign donations not from public funds
Zabala questioned how accepting campaign donations could be considered plunder, noting that the donations did not come from the Philippine government treasury. “But how can accepting campaign donations or contributions be considered plunder? The donations he received from those who supported his candidacy for senator did not come from the Philippine government treasury. Moreover, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) itself has issued a decision stating that no crime was committed in his acceptance of the campaign donations,” he added.
Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla announced on Monday, June 29, 2026, that the Office of the Ombudsman is set to file a plunder case this week before the Sandiganbayan against Marcoleta in connection with the millions in campaign donations he received in 2025.
