Metro Manila, Philippines – Thousands of protesters, many of them members of the Iglesia ni Cristo (INC), gathered at the EDSA People Power Monument on Tuesday morning, June 30.
This comes a day after Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla announced that his office would file plunder charges against Senator Rodante Marcoleta over ₱75 million in undisclosed contributions to his 2025 midterm election campaign.
READ: Plunder charges vs. Sen. Marcoleta to be filed this week – ombudsman
INC spokesperson Edwil Zabala issued a statement condemning the plunder case against Marcoleta, who is a member of the church and the first elected official officially affiliated with the religious group.
“Kaya, nais naming iparinig sa mga kinauukulan na kahit ipakulong nila si Senator Marcoleta ay hindi kami titigil sa paghingi ng katarungan para sa kababayan natin na ninakawan,” Zabala said.
[Translation: We want those in power to hear that even if they arrest Marcoleta, we will not stop seeking justice for our countrymen who were robbed.]
The INC has endorsed Marcoleta in the past, and the senator has frequently appeared at the church’s major gatherings.
At the Tuesday rally, some attendees were seen holding signs questioning the validity of the plunder charges.
Meanwhile, the MMDA has closed the following routes due to severe traffic congestion:
- EDSA Ortigas Service Road (Northbound)
- EDSA Ortigas Flyover (Northbound and Southbound)
- White Plains Avenue (Eastbound and Westbound)
Police personnel were deployed to the area as early as 3 a.m. as rally-goers began arriving in droves.
