MANILA — Malacañang on Wednesday firmly denied accusations of “selective justice” in the investigation of Senator Rodante Marcoleta, insisting that the Marcos administration files cases based on evidence and has not spared even political allies facing corruption charges.
Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said the administration neither shields its supporters nor targets its critics, citing the detention of former senator Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr. as proof that the government pursues cases regardless of political affiliation.
“Wala pong selective justice na namamayani sa administrasyon ni Pangulong Marcos Jr.,” Castro said during a Palace briefing.
She pointed to Revilla’s arrest after the Sandiganbayan issued a warrant against him over a non-bailable malversation case involving an alleged ghost flood control project in Bulacan.
“Kaya nga po kahit na kaibigan, kaalyado, nauna pa po na nakulong, na-detain at ngayon ay humaharap sa kaso ng plunder at graft case,” Castro said.
Castro reiterated that public officials accused of wrongdoing should answer the allegations before the courts.
“Kapag kayo po ay may ebidensiya at may ebidensiya laban sa inyo, sa korte ninyo na lamang po ito ipaliwanag or depensahan,” she said.
The Palace official made the remarks after the Iglesia ni Cristo (INC), during a mass gathering along EDSA on Tuesday, denounced what it described as “selective justice” under the current administration and expressed support for Marcoleta.
The Office of the Ombudsman earlier said it was considering filing charges against Marcoleta over alleged discrepancies involving P75 million in undeclared campaign contributions.
Castro maintained that the allegations stemmed from Marcoleta’s own public statements.
“First of all, it was Senator Marcoleta who admitted everything about the PHP75 million that he received from the three donors,” she said.
She added that authorities questioned inconsistencies between Marcoleta’s Statement of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth (SALN) and his Statement of Contributions and Expenditures (SOCE).
The Palace also rejected claims that the planned charges were linked to Marcoleta’s efforts to expose alleged irregularities in flood control projects.
“Hindi po siya nag-iisa dahil ang administrasyon na ito ay gusto po ring malaman ang lahat ng katotohanan at gusto mapanagot ang lahat ng sangkot,” Castro said.
She stressed that the government’s investigation into alleged flood control anomalies would continue regardless of who first raised the issue publicly./PN
