INC Gathers At EDSA For Marcoleta

Members of religious sect Iglesia ni Cristo gathered at the EDSA People Power Monument in Quezon City on Tuesday, June 30, to protest the looming court indictment and possible arrest of INC member Sen. Rodante Marcoleta for plunder.

Four protesters were arrested and three police officers injured in what the INC described as a “surprise rally” that had no permit.

The protesters denounced what they described as the selective prosecution of Marcoleta and insisted that there was no basis for his indictment before the Sandiganbayan for plunder in connection with P75 million that he himself said was given by three private donors for his 2025 Senate bid, but which he did not declare in his statement of campaign contributions.

One of the donors, former Quezon City congressman Michael Defensor, who will be charged before the Sandiganbayan along with Marcoleta, joined the rally. So did Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano, who apologized to motorists for the massive traffic jam on EDSA on a weekday.

Tensions began when INC members blocked the northbound lane of EDSA using several buses, Philippine National Police (PNP) spokesman Col. Allen Rae Co said.

Apprehended were a bus driver accused of endangering a policewoman pinned between vehicles, a man who allegedly assaulted a police officer and two other protesters, according to the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO).

Charges could be filed against the organizers for holding a protest without a permit from the Quezon City government, Co said.

Marcoleta will face plunder charges this week, to be filed by the Office of the Ombudsman, for P75 million in undeclared campaign donations in the May 2025 midterm elections.

The Commission on Elections had ruled that Marcoleta did not commit an election offense despite his non-disclosure of campaign contributions.

“We’re wondering why he’ll face charges and jail time when he’s exposing those stealing public funds,” INC spokesman Edwil Zabala said, referring to the flood control controversy.

“Selective justice is a form of injustice,” said the INC, of which Marcoleta is a member.

Marcoleta launched the Senate inquiry into the flood control scam, as former chairman of the Blue Ribbon committee, in August 2025.

The NCRPO has admitted to being caught off guard by the gathering, which started at around 3:48 a.m.

“The two who caused a disturbance will face charges of resistance and disobedience. Possible charges against the other two are still under investigation,” NCRPO spokesperson Maj. Hazel Asilo told The Philippine STAR.

PNP chief Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. has ordered the deployment of over 6,508 police officers.

Around 300 personnel of the Philippine Coast Guard aided in security operations.

Members of the INC have also gathered at the Liwasang Bonifacio in Manila, in San Juan City and other areas.

Top PNP officials are assessing the actions of ground commanders, including NCRPO director Maj. Gen. Anthony Aberin.

Even if Aberin is a member of the INC, Co said: “He is a police officer before he is a member of the religious group and I believe that he will meet them with professionalism and it will not affect his work.”

Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla has ordered the PNP to exercise maximum tolerance.

The PNP is urging the INC to voluntarily disperse.

The Armed Forces of the Philippines has reminded organizers to “ensure that their activities do not unduly disrupt public order or cause unnecessary inconvenience to commuters, workers, students and other members of the public.” – With Evelyn Macairan, Mark Ernest Villeza, Josiah Antonio, Michael Punongbayan