Despite the mammoth rally by the Iglesia Ni Cristo (INC) that has been triggered by the impending plunder charges to be filed against embattled Senator Rodante Marcoleta, the Office of the Ombudsman will proceed with the filing of the charges.

This was clarified by Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla Remulla Wednesday on the sidelines of the launch of the National Anti-Corruption Strategy (NACS) at the GSIS Headquarters in Pasay City, where Justice Secretary Fredderick Vida also attended.

Asked to comment on the INC rally, which claimed that Marcoleta was being subjected to selective justice, Remulla rejected the allegation, saying, “It’s not selective justice.”

Remulla acknowledged the group’s right to hold a protest but maintained that its premise was misplaced.

“That is their freedom of expression. But it’s a wrong premise. There’s no selective justice in this country when it comes to the Ombudsman,” Remulla said.

Prodded if the rally would affect the plan of the Ombudsman to file charges against the senator, Remulla said the office would continue performing its mandate.

He said, “Nothing is changing. Nothing has changed.”

The same response was given by Remulla when asked about reports that the Commission on Elections had supposedly already cleared Marcoleta.

“Nothing has changed. We will file. We will file,” he said.

However, Remulla declined to issue any appeal to the supporters of Marcoleta, saying the Ombudsman would simply continue carrying out its duties.

He said, “We will do our job. We will do our job. Gagawin namin ang trabaho naming.”