Iglesia Ni Cristo questions possible filing of plunder raps vs Marcoleta

The Iglesia ni Cristo (INC) on Tuesday questioned the possible filing of plunder charges against Senator Rodante Marcoleta.

INC spokesperson Edwil Zabala said they were confused why Marcoleta will be charged when he led the investigation into the flood control mess when he was the chairperson of the Senate blue ribbon committee.

"Hindi tutol ang INC sa pagpapatupad ng batas pero tutol kami sa pagbaluktot sa batas. Lalo na kung ang layunin ay para pagtakpan ang katiwalian," Zabala said in a NET25 livestream.

(The INC is not against the implementation of the law but we oppose the distortion of the law, especially it is intended to cover up corruption.)

"Ang ipinagtataka namin ay kung bakit siya na nagsusulong sa pag-expose ng mga sangkot sa napakalaking pagnanakaw sa Pilipinas ang kakasuhan at ipakukulong sa halip na ang mga na-expose," he added.

(We are confused why Marcoleta, who exposed those involved in corruption in the country, will be charged and will be arrested instead of the corrupt officials.)

On Monday, Ombudsman Jesus Crispin "Boying" Remulla said plunder charges will be filed against Marcoleta with the Sandiganbayan in connection with the senator's undeclared campaign contributions worth around P75 million.

According to Zabala, the charges against the senator are non-bailable, which will bar him from continuing his investigation.

He also cited the Commission on Elections ruling, which dropped its probe into the senator.

"Paano naging plunder ang pagtanggap ng campaign donation o campaign contribution? Hindi naman galing sa kabang-yaman ng Pilipinas ang tinanggap niyang donation mula sa mga sumuporta sa kanyang pagkandidato bilang senador," said Zabala.

(When did accepting campaign donations become plunder? It did not come from public funds.)

"Mismong Comelec, ay naglabas na ng desisyon na walang krimen na naganap sa pagtanggap niya ng campaign donation. Sinusuportahan ng INC ang itinaguyod ni Senator Marcoleta dahil ito rin ang posisyon namin," he added.

(The Comelec issued a decision that a crime did not happen when Marcoleta accepted the donation. We support Marcoleta's expose because we share the position.)

Zabala said the INC is calling for "transparency, accountability, justice, and peace" and said that even if Marcoleta is jailed, it will "not stop us from asking justice for Filipinos".

"Gusto naming ipaalam sa kanila na isang injustice ang selective justice at hindi kami mananahimik sa harap nitong napakalalang pagyurak sa katarungan na hinihingi ng ating mga kababayan," he added.

(Selective justice is injustice. We will not be silenced in front of the country's biggest corruption scheme.)

In a statement, Marcoleta slammed Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla who said that plunder charges will be filed against him this week.

Marcoleta, however, maintained that he did nothing wrong and claimed that the charges are being filed because of his investigation on the flood control projects during his time as Blue Ribbon Chair.

"Ang kasalanan ko lamang po ay yung paglingkuran kayo, kung kasalanan pong matatawag yan. Na humarap sa kanila ng buong tapang para sa ganon ay malaman ninyo ang totoo," said Marcoleta in a statement.

(My only sin is to serve you, if that can be called a sin—to face them with all courage so that you may know the truth.)

Unidentified groups gathered along the EDSA People Power Monument, which resulted in heavy traffic on Tuesday morning.—AOL, GMA News