Several civic organizations on Wednesday said public demonstrations should not be used to shield government officials facing legitimate allegations and criminal investigations.

In a joint statement posted on Facebook, groups behind the Trillion Peso March questioned the purpose of the rally staged by members of the Iglesia ni Cristo (INC) at the EDSA People Power Monument in Quezon City beginning 30 June.

The organizations said mass mobilizations should be used to demand accountability and justice from public officials accused of corruption and abuse of power.

"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 groups said.

"The issue is the use of collective political and institutional power to place certain individuals beyond accountability that every public official owes to the Filipino people."

The groups argued that organizing large-scale demonstrations to support public officials facing allegations could erode public trust in institutions tasked with ensuring accountability.

They also acknowledged that religion and politics often intersect in public discourse but said religious influence should not be used to pressure government institutions tasked with enforcing the law.

The organizations likewise criticized the disruptions caused by the surprise rally, which resulted in heavy traffic and inconvenience to commuters.

While recognizing that traffic disruptions are often unavoidable during large demonstrations, the groups said such inconveniences were unjustified if the purpose of the protest was to protect politicians from accountability.

"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 organizations also renewed their call for a thorough, impartial, and independent investigation into all individuals implicated in alleged corruption, including the reported multibillion-peso flood control anomalies.

The INC has said its rally seeks transparency and justice in the government's investigation of the flood control controversy, particularly following the Office of the Ombudsman's announcement that it intends to file plunder charges against Sen. Rodante Marcoleta.

INC spokesperson Edwil Zabala said the church would continue its protests until its concerns over what it described as "selective justice" are addressed.

"Selective justice is injustice, and we will not remain silent," Zabala said.

Marcoleta has accused the Ombudsman of trying to silence critics of the Marcos administration, claiming that his arrest would derail congressional inquiries into the flood control scandal.

"If they arrest me, that investigation will no longer push through. They want to bury it in oblivion," he said.

On 29 June, Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla announced that the Office of the Ombudsman would file plunder charges against Marcoleta over the alleged failure to declare P75 million in campaign contributions during the 2025 elections.

Assistant Ombudsman Mico Clavano said the planned charge is based on provisions of the Anti-Plunder Law that penalize the unlawful accumulation or acquisition of wealth, regardless of whether the funds involved came from public or private sources.

As of Wednesday, the Ombudsman had yet to formally file the case against the senator.