INC sideswipes government over sluggish flood probe

A minister of the influential religious group Iglesia Ni Cristo on Monday criticized the government, mentioning the names of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and former House Speaker Martin Romualdez, for the seemingly slow probe and lack of indictments in the anomalous flood control projects.

Unlike the first day of the “Rally for Transparency and a Better Democracy” on Sunday, when no personalities were named, INC Minister Rommel Topacio directly referenced the President for his sluggish actions to pursue and file charges against government officials mentioned by resource persons in various hearings, particularly in the House of Representatives and Senate.

“Sa kanyang State of the Nation Address, inihayag ni Pangulong Marcos ang mga kompanyang nakakuha ng pinakamalalaking kontrata para flood control projects ng DPWH na umaabot sa daan-daang bilyong piso. Kasunod nito ang sinasabi ng ilang testigo ng pagkakasangkot sa katiwalian ng ilang mambabatas, kabilang ang noo’y Speaker of the House of Representatives, na nagbunga ng kanyang pagbibitiw sa tungkulin,” said Topacio.

(“In his State of the Nation Address, President Marcos identified the companies that received the biggest contracts for DPWH flood control projects amounting to hundreds of billions of pesos. This was followed by testimonies alleging the involvement of several lawmakers in corruption, including the then Speaker of the House of Representatives, which led to his resignation.”)

He questioned the slow pursuit of accountability, noting that no one has been jailed or charged with appropriate complaints.

“Kapansin-pansin usad-pagong na proseso upang mapanagot nagnakaw sa kaban ng bayan. Bukod sa imbestiga ng Blue Ribbon Committee, Ombudsman, at ICI, wala isa man sa mga natukoy na malalaking personalidad ang napatawan ng parusa gaya ng pagkakakulong — pobreng Juan Dela Cruz na nangupit ng sardinas o diaper na agad nakakasuhan at nakukulong,” he said.

(“The process to hold accountable those who stole from the nation’s coffers is moving at a snail’s pace. Aside from the investigations by the Blue Ribbon Committee, Ombudsman, and ICI, not one of the major personalities identified has been punished, unlike poor Juan Dela Cruz who steals a can of sardines or diapers and is immediately charged and jailed.”)

“Mistulang iba ang due process sa mahirap at mayaman,” he added.

(“It seems due process differs for the poor and the rich.”)

Remulla sideswiped

Topacio also criticized Ombudsman Jesus Crispin “Boying” Remulla for agreeing with Senator Erwin Tulfo’s remark that the government must sometimes “bend the law to please the people.”

“Lumilitaw sa kanilang pahayag na batas ay bendable depende kung kanino ipapatupad,” he said.

(“Their statements show that the law is bendable depending on whom it is applied to.”)

The INC minister also accused the government of previously protecting resigned Ako Bicol Partylist Representative Zaldy Co, noting the lack of action to cancel his passport or pursue extradition when allegations first surfaced.

“Pero ngayon, gigil silang pauwiin si Co matapos na siya ay magsalita laban sa pamahalaan. Kaya asan ang paghahangad sa tunay na accountability? Di ba mahalaga sa gobyerno ang pagpapanagot sa tunay na may sala?” he said.

(“But now, they are eager to bring Co home after he spoke against the government. Where is the desire for true accountability? Isn’t it important for the government to hold the truly guilty accountable?”)

Topacio further questioned the government’s ability to coordinate with Interpol to extradite Co, contrasting it with the swift implementation of an Interpol warrant in the case of former President Rodrigo Duterte.

“Kapansin-pansin bakit di nila makansela passport o extradition o makipagtulungan sa Interpol ngayon, pero parang ang dali na ipadakip sa isang banyagang organization na ICC, na di kasali ang Pilipinas, ang dating Pangulo na di dumaan sa paglilitis ng korte ng Pilipinas,” he said.

(“Why can they not cancel a passport or coordinate for extradition now, but easily comply with a foreign organization like the ICC, where the Philippines is not a member, to arrest a former President who has not been tried in a Philippine court?”)

“Nahahalata tuloy na kapag kaalyado ay pinoprotektahan, pero kapag nasa panig ng oposisyon, ang bilis ipatupad ang buong pwersa ng gobyerno. Ang mantra ng gobyerno ngayon ay ‘May kinikilingan, may pinoprotektahan, serbisyong para sa kaalyado lamang,’” he added.

(“It becomes obvious that allies are protected, but the full force of the government is applied quickly when it comes to the opposition. The government’s mantra now is ‘Biased, protective, and serving only its allies.’”)

INC rally no connection to Co’s revelations

INC spokesperson Edwil Zabala maintained that Co’s statements have no connection to their group’s three-day rally.

“No connection at all,” Zabala said on Monday, the second day of the demonstration.

On Day 1, opposition Senator and INC member Rodante Marcoleta criticized the Office of the Ombudsman for imposing numerous conditions before giving weight to Co’s accusations.

Marcoleta referred to Section 13 of the Ombudsman Act of 1989, which mandates the Ombudsman and his Deputies to act promptly on complaints and enforce administrative, civil, and criminal liability where evidence warrants.

Why three days

Zabala explained the rally’s duration, responding to criticism from netizens frustrated by limited access to Roxas Boulevard.

“Kaya po ito tatlong araw dahil binibigyan natin ng pagkakataon ang ating ibang miyembro na makadalo, lalo na yung mga nasa malalayong probinsya,” he said.

(“This lasts three days to give members from far provinces the chance to attend.”)

Organizers said hundreds of INC members traveled from Albay, Mindoro, Palawan, and parts of the Visayas. The Manila Police District estimated 200,000 attendees on Monday.

Zabala reiterated that the rally is not exclusive to INC members, saying other protesters may join “as long as they align with the calling of the INC to seek transparency, accountability, and justice.”

According to the National Capital Region Police Office chief, General Anthony Averin, the two-day rally remained generally peaceful.