The Iglesia ni Cristo’s (INC) silence over his detention should not be interpreted as indifference, weakness, or abandonment, according to Senator Rodante Marcoleta, but the church is simply respecting the judicial process while his case is before the courts.

In a statement on Tuesday, Marcoleta said the INC had no obligation to publicly comment on his detention because the matter is now pending before the courts.

“Any open pronouncement must yield to the orderly administration of justice and proper resolution of the case through established judicial procedures,” he said.

Marcoleta is detained at the New Quezon City Jail in Payatas over a non-bailable plunder case involving undeclared campaign donations totaling P75 million. He has pleaded not guilty to the charge.

The Ombudsman filed the case against Marcoleta over three donations he received in 2025, along with separate charges under Presidential Decree 46, which prohibits public officials from receiving gifts or benefits in connection with their official duties.

Marcoleta said the INC’s position should be viewed in light of its religious teachings on persecution, trials, and faith.

He said the church believes that its members, regardless of prominence, should not be exempt from “persecution and privation,” which he said are reflected in biblical accounts of tested faith.

“The faithful have been forewarned by the Scriptures that they cannot evade trials and hardships in life as these must come to pass to purify and test the quality and steadfastness of their faith,” Marcoleta said.

The INC’s silence, he added, “reflects neither acquiescence nor abandonment but fidelity to its deep-seated beliefs and respect for the judicial processes.”

It’s been nearly three months since the INC publicly supported Marcoleta following the filing of the plunder case against him. On 30 June, the religious sect held a rally attended by thousands of members and issued a statement questioning the case against the senator.

At the time, INC spokesperson Edwil Zabala said the church supported Marcoleta’s advocacy and called for “transparency, accountability, justice and peace.”