Metro Manila, Philippines – Ombudsman Boying Remulla is unfazed by the strong pushback from Senator Rodante Marcoleta’s supporters on his possible plunder case, saying the filing of charges against the lawmaker will push through.
“Nothing has changed,” said Remulla in a chance interview on Wednesday, July 1.
The ombudsman previously said the non-bailable plunder case against Marcoleta and three others may be released this week.
On Tuesday, June 30, tens of thousands of Iglesia Ni Cristo (INC) members stormed the Epifanio delos Santos Ave. (EDSA) in a surprise rally questioning the possible case against Marcoleta. The religious group, which counts Marcoleta as a member, extended its protest on Wednesday.
The case is related to ₱75 million in campaign donations Marcoleta received from private persons for the 2025 midterm elections.
Remulla said while he acknowledges the protesters’ freedom of expression, they get the “wrong premise” on the ombudsman action.
“There is no selective justice in this country when it comes to the ombudsman,” he said.
In a separate speaking engagement on Tuesday, June 30, Remulla rejected claims that Marcoleta had been singled out.
“There’s a big rally or commotion in EDSA and of course our friends from the INC (Iglesia ni Cristo) are the ones that instigated it due to a feeling they have that Rodante Marcoleta was being singled out among other people. We all know that is not true,” the ombudsman said in his speech during the launch of his office’s field investigation course.
The office is investigating a number of senators and members of the House of Representatives implicated in the flood control scandal.
Remulla said he did not order an investigation on Marcoleta, noting that it was a team from the ombudsman who raised the issue.
“Basta may motu propio investigation, hindi na inaawat yan kasi baka may pupuntahan talaga iyan,” he said.
“When the evidence presents itself in front of you, you might as well bring it to court. Lalong-lalo na ito iyong example na gusto ng tao. Mataas man o mababa, tatamaan sa atin kapag mali ang ginawa,” Remulla added.
[Translation: As long as there’s a motu proprio investigation, it won’t be hindered because it may lead somewhere…When the evidence presents itself before you, you might as well bring it to court. This is especially the kind of example that people want to see. Whether someone is high-ranking or low-ranking, if they’ve done something wrong, they should be held accountable.]
Marcoleta had questioned the possible charge against him, saying it was meant to bar him from taking part in the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte, which will begin on July 6.
