Within hours after reports came in of a massive influx of people gathering at the EDSA People Power Monument at the corner of EDSA and White Plains Ave., in Quezon City, Philippines, the Iglesia Ni Cristo (INC) released a statement through its spokesperson, Brother Edwil D. Zabala.

During a News Update segment in Net25, Brother Zabala delivered the statement:

“Hindi tutol ang Iglesia Ni Cristo sa pagpapatupad ng batas. Pero, tutol kami sa pagbaluktot sa batas lalo na kung ang layunin ay para pagtakpan ang katiwalian.

“Gaya ng alam ng marami, si Senator Rodante Marcoleta ay nanguna sa pag-iimbestiga sa isa sa pinakamalaking pandarambong na naganap sa ating kasaysayan. Sinimulan niya ito nang siya pa ang chairman ng Blue Ribbon Committee ng Senado. Subalit, pinalitan ng liderato ang komiteng ito. Gayunpaman, itinuloy niya ang paghahanap ng hustisya para sa atin na mga mamamayan.

“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. Ang ikinakaso kay Senator Marcoleta ay plunder na isang non-bailable crime. Samakatuwid, ipakukulong siya at hindi pwedeng magpiyansa hangga’t hindi natatapos ang paglilitis sa kaniya. Sa madaling salita ay hindi na niya maitutuloy ang paglalantad o pag-e-expose sa mga sangkot sa pandarambong na naganap. Pero, paanong 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 kaniyang pagkandidato bilang senador. At mismong ang COMELEC ay naglabas na ng desisyon na walang krimen na naganap sa pagtanggap niya ng campaign donation.

“Sinusuportahan ng Iglesia Ni Cristo ang itinataguyod ni Senator Marcoleta dahil ito rin ang posisyon namin. Nananawagan kami para sa transparency, accountability, justice and peace.

“Kaya, nais naming iparinig sa mga kinauukulan na kahit ipakulong nila si Senator Marcoleta ay hindi kami titigil sa paghingi ng katarungan para sa mga kababayan natin na ninakawan.

“Gusto naming ipaalam sa kanila na isang injustice ang selective justice at hindi kami mananahimik sa harap nitong napakalaking pagyurak sa katarungan na hinihingi ng ating mga kababayan. (The Iglesia Ni Cristo is not opposed to the implementation of the law. What we oppose is the distortion or bending of the law, especially when it is being done to cover up corruption.

“As many citizens know, Senator Rodante Marcoleta has been leading the investigation of one of the biggest corruption scandals that has happened in our nation’s history. He started this when he was the chairman of the Blue Ribbon Committee of the Philippine Senate. The leadership of this committee, however, was replaced. Nevertheless, he has continued seeking justice for us, Filipino citizens.

“What we find surprising is why it is Senator Marcoleta, who has been pushing forward to expose those involved in the massive theft in the Philippines, has a case being filed against him and is being threatened with imprisonment and not the ones who have been exposed. Senator Marcoleta is being charged with plunder which is a non-bailable offense. This means that they plan on incarcerating him with no possibility of bail until his trial is concluded. To put it simply, Senator Marcoleta would be rendered unable to continue the exposé of those involved in the plunder of government funds that took place.

“How did receiving campaign donations become plunder when, in fact, the donation that he received was not from public funds but from private citizens who supported his candidacy as senator? COMELEC itself has already issued a decision clearing his acceptance of campaign donations of any violation or crime.

“The Iglesia Ni Cristo supports the advocacy of Senator Marcoleta because this is also our position. We are calling for transparency, accountability, justice, and peace. Thus, we want to convey to those concerned that even if they imprison Senator Marcoleta, we will not stop demanding for justice for our countrymen whose money the corrupt has stolen.

“We want them to know that selective justice is an injustice. And, for the sake of all our countrymen, we will not keep quiet in the face of these acts of trampling justice.)”

Local media reported that the Quezon City Police District (QCPD) estimated the crowd at around 7,000 as of 6:45 a.m., according to QCPD spokesperson Maj. Jennifer Gannaban. As of this writing, more people have arrived to join the rally; others of whom gathered at Liwasang Bonifacio, Ermita, Manila.

This is a developing story.

—Photos from Noel Deligero, Jerome Comaoay, Net25 and INC News Section