Plunder charges against Marcoleta: Government did not blink and cower to Iglesia Ni Cristo protests

The filing of plunder charges against prominent Iglesia Ni Cristo member and Senator Rodante Marcoleta shows that the government did not blink and cower to INC pressure, Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said.

“Tama po, hindi naman po kailangan magpa-pressure ang gobyerno at ang mga nag-iimbestiga, pati na po ang mga korte natin sa mga pressure ng ibang mga grupo,” she said.

Marcoleta was charged before the Sandiganbayan with plunder for receiving P75 million in undeclared campaign donations during his 2025 senatorial run. Also charged were three private individuals including former congressman Mike Defensor.

The filing comes after a 3-day protest mounted by INC in EDSA and Liwasang Bonifacio, decrying what they call selective justice by singling out Marcoleta for being a vocal critic of the administration.

But amid these calls for accountability, Malacañang is sticking to its line — “managot ang dapat managot,” and expressed confidence that the INC will not mount another protest or will attempt to prevent the service of a warrant against Marcoleta.

Malacañang even expressed solidarity with calls for transparency and accountability, but called on the group to allow rule of law and legal process to run its course.

“Kapag ka po kasi ganun ang nangyari, ay parang dinidiktahan na po nila ang mga investigating bodies, dinitikahan na rin po nila ang ehekutibo para kumilos na naaayon sa gusto nila," said Castro.

"So, hindi po natin sa ngayon nakikita na mangyayari ito dahil ang mga grupo ngayon, alam natin na dapat tayong sumunod sa batas. Kung ano po ang sinasabi ng batas, kung ano ang sinasabi ng proseso, ay dapat lamang po natin itong hayaan na tumakbo at umandar," she added.

Meanwhile, Malacañang called out Mike Defensor, who claimed in a social media post that President Bongbong Marcos also received millions in campaign donations who were later appointed to senior government positions.

There is no comparison, according to Castro, because first, Marcos was a private citizen at the time, while Marcoleta was not, and second, Marcos made a full declaration of such donations while Marcoleta did not. — BAP, GMA News