Coalition questions INC rally backing senator facing P75-M plunder lawsuit

A COALITION of civil society organizations, church leaders, sectoral groups and political parties on Wednesday questioned the Iglesia ni Cristo (INC)-led rally at the EDSA People Power Monument in Quezon City, saying public assemblies should not be used to influence legal proceedings involving elected officials.

“Why should any politician need tens of thousands of people to defend him against a legal investigation?” the coalition, led by Tindig Pilipinas, said in a joint statement.

It added that accountability should be determined by evidence and the independence of institutions rather than the size of a public official’s following.

The coalition said it respects the constitutional rights to freedom of religion, expression and peaceful assembly, but argued that mass mobilizations should not be used to pressure authorities or cast doubt on the impartial enforcement of the law.

The statement came as members of the religious group staged a second day of demonstrations in support of Senator Rodante D. Marcoleta, who faces a looming plunder case over his alleged failure to declare about P75 million in campaign contributions.

Tuesday’s rally forced the cancellation of President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr.’s scheduled launch of a Manila Bay cleanup vessel and a luncheon with foreign correspondents in Makati City.

Palace Press Officer Clarissa A. Castro earlier said the President respects the constitutional right to peaceful assembly but warned that violations of the law would not be tolerated.

Mr. Marcoleta has denied wrongdoing.

The Office of the Ombudsman earlier said it would file the case before the Sandiganbayan this week.

The coalition said the issue was not the right to assemble or the choice of EDSA as a venue, but what it described as the use of “collective political and institutional power” to shield public officials from accountability.

It added that the EDSA People Power Monument symbolizes “truth, justice, democratic accountability and the rule of law” and should not be used to provide political cover for officials facing corruption allegations.

The coalition also cited the disruption caused by the gathering, including heavy traffic, inconvenience to commuters and the deployment of government resources to maintain public order.

The INC’s first-day rally on Tuesday occupied portions of White Plains Avenue and several lanes of EDSA near the People Power Monument, resulting in severe traffic congestion.

The Philippine National Police earlier said organizers had not secured a permit before the gathering.

However, the Quezon City Department of Public Order and Safety said it met with INC representatives and the city’s law and order cluster before signing a memorandum authorizing Wednesday’s rally.

As of 4 p.m. on Wednesday, the agency said about 5,000 people had gathered at the monument, with more participants expected later in the day.

Agency head Elmo DG. San Diego said the permit covers Wednesday’s gathering from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Although organizers initially sought permission for a three-day rally ending on Thursday, the city instead issued what he described as an “open-ended” permit, allowing succeeding gatherings subject to daily approval.

Mr. San Diego said authorities would suspend the rally only if it poses risks to public safety or security.

The coalition also urged authorities to pursue impartial investigations into all officials implicated in corruption, including those linked to flood control anomalies, regardless of political affiliation. — Mark Joseph M. Sanchez