Sen. Rodante Marcoleta said the Iglesia Ni Cristo (INC) should not be viewed as indifferent to his detention simply because the religious organization has not publicly commented on his imprisonment.
In a statement issued on September 22, Marcoleta said the church’s position should be understood in light of his case being handled by the courts. He said the lack of a public response does not mean the INC has abandoned him or withdrawn its support.
Marcoleta is detained at the New Quezon City Jail in connection with a P75-million plunder case involving campaign contributions that prosecutors allege were not declared in his 2025 Statement of Contributions and Expenditures. The Sandiganbayan ordered his arrest on July 6 after the Office of the Ombudsman filed the case against him and three other accused.
The case remains before the Sandiganbayan Third Division, where Marcoleta has also sought bail. Prosecutors have presented witnesses in proceedings related to the alleged campaign donation.
Marcoleta said the INC is not required to publicly comment on his detention while the matter is pending before the courts. He said any public intervention should not take precedence over established judicial procedures.
“The INC’s ‘silence’ on my jailing should never be misconstrued as indifference, weakness, or diminished resolve. It reflects neither acquiescence nor abandonment but fidelity to its deep-seated beliefs and respect for the judicial processes.”
The senator also referred to INC teachings concerning hardship and persecution, saying members are taught that trials may serve as tests of faith. He said this principle applies to members regardless of their prominence.
The INC had previously held public demonstrations supporting Marcoleta before his arrest, including a large gathering in Metro Manila in late June as he faced the possibility of criminal charges over the campaign contributions.
Marcoleta said the church’s current approach should not be interpreted as a retreat from its position. He maintained that the INC’s decision not to publicly comment on his imprisonment reflects its adherence to its beliefs and its respect for the judicial process.
