Paolo Marcoleta, Mike Defensor spotted at White Ribbon March

SAGIP Party-list Rep. Paolo Marcoleta and former congressman Mike Defensor were spotted at the White Ribbon March along EDSA, an anti-corruption protest, on Sunday, June 28.

According to GMA News’ Bea Pinlac, Marcoleta said he was against any form of corruption and that he was at the event only to drop off food.

“Dito lang ako para mag-drop off ng food. Ayun lang naman,” he said.

(I’m just here to drop off some food. That’s all.)

Marcoleta added that the gathering should not be viewed through a political lens.

“Siyempre lahat naman tayo ayaw sa korapsyon, di ba? Ayun lang naman. Walang political color ngayon. Basta lahat tayo kontra sa korapsyon, ayun lang naman,” he said.

(Of course, we are all against corruption, right? That’s all. There’s no political color here. What matters is that we are all against corruption.)

However, Marcoleta declined to comment on the impeachment case against Vice President Sara Duterte.

The protest, attended by more than 3,000 people, called on the government to address various issues, including accountability over the flood control controversy and the impeachment of Duterte.

Marcoleta and his father, Senator Rodante Marcoleta, are known allies of the vice president. Both have questioned the impeachment case against her.

Meanwhile, Defensor was also seen on the sidelines of the protest, along with Duterte supporters who were likewise dressed in white. The group was heard chanting “Duterte, Duterte” despite the rally’s anti-corruption theme.

Defensor’s presence came as no surprise after he earlier posted on Facebook that he would attend the gathering.

“As a Filipino, I will participate in its call for accountability, the fight against corruption, and good governance toward a better future for our nation,” Defensor said.

“My participation in this gathering is not on behalf of any political organization or party, but as a Filipino who believes that our country deserves better,” he added. —MCG, GMA News