Ombudsman says INC protest won't stop Marcoleta plunder case
At A Glance
- "Nothing is changing, nothing has changed," Remulla said, indicating that the complaint would still be filed as originally scheduled.
(RODANTE MARCOLETA FACEBOOK PAGE/OMBUDSMAN FACEBOOK PAGE)
The Office of the Ombudsman will proceed with the planned filing of a plunder complaint against Senator Rodante Marcoleta despite a protest staged by members of the Iglesia ni Cristo (INC), Ombudsman Jesus Crispin “Boying” Remulla said on Wednesday, July 1.
“Nothing is changing, nothing has changed,” Remulla said, indicating that the complaint would still be filed as originally scheduled.
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The INC launched the protest at the EDSA People Power Monument on June 30 in support of Marcoleta, accusing the Office of the Ombudsman of practicing selective justice.
However, Remulla dismissed these allegations.
“There is no selective justice in this country when it comes to the Office of the Ombudsman,” he said.
He nevertheless acknowledged the INC members’ right to stage the protest, saying it was “their freedom of expression.”
“Basta sa 'kin lang, we will do our job (As far as I'm concerned, we will do our job),” he said.
The Ombudsman earlier announced plans to file a plunder complaint against Marcoleta over the alleged failure to declare ₱75 million in campaign donations in his Statement of Contributions and Expenditures (SOCE) and Statement of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth (SALN) when he was still a congressman.
The office has maintained that the case may still qualify as plunder even if the money involved came from private donors, noting that public officials are generally prohibited from receiving substantial sums of money except in instances allowed by law, such as campaign contributions received during the election period.
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