Palace says Marcos also for transparency, accountability

Malacañang said Tuesday that President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. shares the EDSA rallyists' call for transparency, accountability, and the rule of law.

The rally, which included members of the Iglesia ni Cristo, was reportedly in protest of the looming plunder case against Senator Rodante Marcoleta for failing to declare campaign contributions worth P75 million.

"Ang Pangulo po ay naniniwala sa paninindigan ng INC. Ipatupad ang batas, transparency, accountability, managot ang dapat managot at iyan po iyong ginagawa ng administrasyon. Kung dapat managot ang isang Senator Marcoleta na nagkataong miyembro ng INC, hindi po ba dapat na i-push din natin iyon," said Palace Press Officer Undersecretary Claire Castro.

(The President believes in the principles upheld by the Iglesia ni Cristo: enforce the law, uphold transparency and accountability, and ensure that those who are responsible are held accountable. That is exactly what this administration is doing. If Senator Marcoleta, who happens to be a member of the INC, should be held accountable, shouldn't we also pursue that?)

"But still, ang Pangulo po ay nakikinig, iginagalang sila. Ang tangi lamang niyang hiling ay igalang natin lahat iyong mga naaapektuhan na dapat ay hindi naaapektuhan," Castro added.

(But still, the President is listening and respects them. His only request is that we also respect those who are being affected and should not have to bear the impact.)

Amid the rally, Marcos cancelled his schedule for the day and remained in the Palace to monitor the situation.

Security was also tightened in the Palace and surrounding areas, even as authorities said there are no threats against the President.

"Hindi natin alam kung may mangyayari dito. Kung may papasok or what. So, ito po ang pinaka opisina ng ating Pangulo so dapat din po natin itong proteksyunan kahit anu pang klaseng rally iyan - maliit, malaki dapat nating proteksyunan at ito po ay parte na po ng seguridad," Castro said.

(We don't know if anything might happen or if someone might try to get in. This is the Office of the President, so we have to protect it regardless of the type of rally—whether it's small or large. That is part of our security protocol.)

Castro said authorities have been ordered to ensure that no law will be breached during the rally.

She did not directly respond when asked when the Palace will allow the rally, which, according to the police, took place without prior coordination. —LDF, GMA News

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