Amid thousands of protesters from the Iglesia ni Cristo (INC) gathered at the EDSA People Power Monument along White Plains Avenue in Quezon City on Tuesday, 30 June, Batangas 1st District Rep. Leandro Leviste called on Filipinos to join the demonstration.

In a social media post, Leviste said the gathering was not only for a particular sector but for all Filipinos.

"Everyone is invited today to the EDSA People Power Monument. This is not just for one group. This is for every Filipino," the lawmaker wrote.

Leviste was among those seen at the rally, which caught motorists and authorities by surprise as protesters occupied portions of the northbound lanes of EDSA, causing heavy traffic. 

The Quezon City Police District initially estimated around 9,000 participants as of 9 a.m., while later police updates placed the crowd at more than 10,000. Several roads between Ortigas and White Plains were temporarily closed to traffic. 

The protest was organized following the Office of the Ombudsman's announcement that it would file plunder charges against Sen. Rodante Marcoleta over the alleged receipt of P75 million in campaign donations during the 2025 elections that were not disclosed in his election filings. The Ombudsman also named former congressman Mike Defensor and businessmen Joseph Espiritu and Aristotle Viray as co-respondents. 

The INC said the filing of charges reflected what it described as a "distortion of law" and "selective justice," noting that Marcoleta has been among the lawmakers pushing for investigations into the alleged flood control anomalies. 

"The Iglesia ni Cristo supports what Senator Marcoleta stands for because it is also our position. We call for transparency, accountability, justice, and peace," INC spokesperson Bro. Edwil Zabala said in a livestream. 

Leviste echoed that sentiment in a separate social media post, questioning why the Ombudsman was focusing on Marcoleta.

"If the real campaign donors of all politicians are probed, many would be removed from the Senate and Congress," he said.

"Why will Senator Rodante Marcoleta be charged, while other campaigns were funded from flood control?" he added.