MANILA, Philippines — Social movements, sectoral organizations, civil society groups, Church leaders, and political parties that took part in the Trillion Pesos Marches along EDSA last year voiced strong opposition to the Iglesia ni Cristo (INC)-led rally at the People Power Monument, supporting Senator Rodante Marcoleta.
“We reject every attempt—whether by politicians, influential organizations, or self-appointed moral authorities—to exploit public faith, democratic symbols, or popular support to insulate the powerful from accountability,” the groups and organizations said in a joint statement posted on the page of Tindig Pilipinas on Wednesday.
Marcoleta, a member of the religious sect, is set to be charged by the Office of the Ombudsman for plunder and serious allegations relating to his reported failure to declare P75 million in campaign contributions.
The groups that signed the joint statement included Tindig Pilipinas, Akbayan Party-List, the Liberal Party (LP) of the Philippines, Mamamayang Liberal party-list, the August Twenty One Movement (ATOM) and several other opposition-led organizations.
“In a constitutional democracy, no public official—regardless of popularity, office, political influence, or institutional backing—should require the organized mobilization of thousands of supporters to influence, discourage, or cast doubt upon the impartial enforcement of the law. Accountability is not determined by the size of one’s following but by the strength of the evidence and the independence of our institutions,” the groups said.
“Our concern is not the constitutional right to peaceful assembly, nor is it the choice of EDSA as the venue. Every Filipino enjoys the freedoms of expression, religion, and peaceful assembly… The issue is the use of collective political and institutional power to place certain individuals beyond the accountability that every public official owes the Filipino people,” they added.
“While public assemblies are legitimate expressions of democratic participation, they become deeply troubling when organized primarily to shield a political figure from legal scrutiny or to project public pressure upon institutions charged with enforcing the law. Such actions risk weakening public confidence in the rule of law and creating the dangerous impression that justice depends on political influence rather than legal merit,” the opposition groups said.
The groups said EDSA is more than a physical venue, it is a national symbol of truth, justice, democratic accountability, and the rule of law.
“It represents the Filipino people’s rejection of authoritarianism, impunity, and the abuse of public power. Its legacy should never be appropriated to weaken these very principles or to provide political cover for individuals facing credible allegations of corruption or other grave misconduct,” they said.
“The participation and endorsement of political personalities long associated in the public mind with allegations of corruption, abuse of power, historical distortion, and attacks on democratic institutions only deepen these concerns. Rather than strengthening public confidence, such alliances reinforce the perception that the gathering is less about protecting constitutional freedoms than about protecting political allies from accountability,” the groups added.
It also said that the INC-led rallies, which started at 4 a.m. on Tuesday, disrupted traffic and imposed significant costs on ordinary Filipinos.
“The large-scale mobilization has likewise imposed significant costs on ordinary Filipinos through traffic disruption, public inconvenience, and the diversion of public safety and security resources. Such burdens on the public demand a compelling civic purpose. Shielding political allies from legal accountability cannot be that purpose,” the coalitions and organizations said.
They also said that democracy requires every citizen and public official to stand equal before justice.
“We likewise reiterate our call for a thorough, impartial, and independent investigation of all individuals implicated in alleged corruption, including the reported flood control anomalies and other cases, regardless of political affiliation. Whether they belong to the Marcos camp, the Duterte camp, the opposition, or any other political coalition must be entirely irrelevant. Justice loses its legitimacy when it becomes selective, and democracy is weakened whenever accountability becomes partisan,” the organizations wrote.
The opposition-led organizations also reminded Filipinos that public office is a public trust and called on them to be vigilant.
“The Filipino people deserve institutions that pursue the truth without fear or favor; leaders who submit themselves to the rule of law rather than seek protection from it; and a political culture where public office is understood as a public trust—not a shield against investigation,” the groups said.
“We therefore call on all Filipinos, regardless of faith, political affiliation, or ideology, to reject every attempt to transform the symbols of our democracy into instruments for protecting those who should instead be subject to its laws. The principles embodied by EDSA belong to the Filipino people—not to any individual, political dynasty, religious organization, or partisan coalition,” they concluded.
Meanwhile, the Liberal Party (LP) of the Philippines, one of the groups that signed the joint statement, reminded Filipinos that the People Power Monument along EDSA in Quezon City is sacred ground.
In a separate statement on Tuesday night, the party said the monument stands as a living reminder of the Filipino people’s love for freedom, democracy, and accountability.
“It is not merely a monument commemorating the Filipino people’s struggle against dictatorship. It also symbolizes the continuing fight for clean governance—freedom from corruption, abuse of power, and the misuse of public funds,” the party said.
“However, our message is clear: let the spirit of EDSA be used in the genuine pursuit of justice, not to protect the interests of any group or individual,” it added.
The party also cited laws, such as Republic Act No. 3019, which penalizes corrupt practices, including receiving benefits in exchange for favors or using one’s official position for personal gain.
“Paying true tribute to EDSA does not end with visiting the monument or recalling its history. It is demonstrated by defending the integrity of our institutions, upholding the rule of law, and standing firm on the principle that no one should be above accountability,” the party said.
“We stand with all Filipinos who seek genuine justice and clean governance—regardless of political affiliation or religious belief. For the spirit of EDSA belongs to the entire Filipino nation,” it added.
Akbayan, which also signed the joint statement, noted that the gathering also received support from Vice President Sara Duterte and Senator Alan Peter Cayetano, who showed up at the rally.
“Sara has every reason to support any effort that could undermine her impeachment trial. Cayetano, meanwhile, has once again demonstrated his remarkable talent for inserting himself into every political spectacle in search of relevance,” the party-list said.
The opposition party-list also left a message for Marcoleta.
“You may bring your supporters to EDSA, but you cannot claim its legacy. EDSA is defined not by geography but by principle. It belongs to those who fought tyranny, corruption, and impunity, not to those seeking refuge from accountability. You may temporarily occupy EDSA, but you will never inherit its meaning or use it to escape justice,” they said.
ATOM, known for its involvement in the original People Power Revolution in 1986, also called out Cayetano for again using the laban (fight) finger sign at the INC rally.
“Seeing you flashing the laban sign at EDSA, Mr. Senator, is like the demon mockingly making the sign of the cross inside a cathedral,” the movement said in a statement.
“The best analogy that can be used for you is: a privileged person entrusted to serve the people, but like a spoiled brat with never-ending tantrums, you take things that don’t belong to you, and if you don’t get what you want, you go online to cry, squeal, rant, and rage–all under the pretentious cloak of moral Christianity,” they added.
