Senator Lacson confident Ombudsman Remulla will stand firm despite surprise EDSA rally

Senator Panfilo "Ping" Lacson on Tuesday voiced confidence that Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla would remain steadfast despite rallies organized by members of the Iglesia ni Cristo (INC) in support of Senator Rodante Marcoleta.

Lacson also expressed optimism that the Philippine National Police (PNP) would be able to preserve peace and order even as Marcoleta's supporters staged demonstrations.

"Ombudsman Boying is tough as a Caviteño will always be. I trust that he won’t cave in to the INC rallies and pressure - not today, not tomorrow and certainly not when Sen Marcoleta’s plunder case is filed in court as earlier announced," Lacson said on X.

"His INC backers may block EDSA all they want and cause traffic jams and chaos to the discomfort of ordinary commuters. Surely, the PNP will be there to maintain peace and order," he added.

INC members held a surprise protest along EDSA in Quezon City on Tuesday to oppose the possible arrest of Marcoleta, who belongs to the religious organization. The planned plunder case stems from allegations that Marcoleta received P75 million in gifts or donations in January 2025 while serving as a congressman.

Authorities reportedly arrested several individuals as tensions flared between protesters and law enforcement personnel during the rally.

The INC later confirmed that the demonstration was intended to show support for Marcoleta, who has maintained that the impending plunder charges are designed to prevent him from exposing alleged corruption and participating in the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte.

Lacson also reiterated his earlier criticism of Marcoleta, accusing him of gaslighting after citing Lacson's previous remarks that nine more senators could face arrest and imprisonment.

Lacson clarified that his earlier statement was not a prediction but merely a hypothetical example related to the constitutional voting requirement in an impeachment trial.

"My reference to nine senators being possibly jailed was a hypothetical statement in the context of determining the base number to compute the constitutional requirement of 2/3 vote of all senators actively participating or not in the impeachment trial."

-Paraluman News