The issue is the flood-control scandal

On June 30, 2026, the Palace was caught by surprise by the gathering of people at EDSA. As of this writing, the rally has been transferred to Liwasang Bonifacio.

Chiefly, the rally is focused on the flood-control issue and the rumored arrest of Sen. Rodante Marcoleta. It has drawn participants from the Iglesia ni Cristo (INC) and concerned Filipinos.

Supporters of Senator Marcoleta raised a valid question, and one cannot blame them for being furious. Why focus on Marcoleta? Why is the person who investigated the flood-control issue so vigorously now the target of attacks from the seat of power? The senator has been among the most vocal on the issue in the Senate.

“Why Marcoleta, why not Martin?” the people ask. Consider what former speaker Martin Romualdez said when he broke his silence on the flood-control scam: “If this is a political play to push me out and close the story, tarnishing my name and my reputation, then I am telling everyone now: I will not go quietly, and I will not go alone. I will not be the fall guy for other people’s corruption.”

This “I will not go quietly, and I will not go alone,” implies that Romualdez is well-informed about the issue, yet he has been dealt with kid gloves all this time.

Also notable was Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla’s claim that the case against Sen. Joel Villanueva was already ripe for filing in court. He made this statement when the latter belonged to the opposition, or the Cayetano bloc. More recently, however, the Ombudsman said the case against the senator still lacks sufficient case build up, or that is not yet ripe for filing. So which is which? He made this latest statement after Villanueva joined the new Senate majority led by Sen. Win Gatchalian.

There is a widespread public perception that opponents of the administration are being targeted, particularly senators identified with the group of Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano. The time may come that all of them are charged with non-bailable offenses, while senators aligned with the Gachalian bloc remain untouchable.

Some people’s hyperfocus on the inconvenience caused by the rallies is surprising. The same complaint was not highlighted during the two major rallies known as People Power I and II, both of which were held without permits. But the more people focus on inconvenience, the more others will remember what they see as an orchestrated attempt to bury the flood-control corruption issue.

No, it is wrong to say that the rally is intended to protect Marcoleta from being jailed. In fact, he has said that he is ready to go to jail. Rather, it is an expression of dismay over what the participants view as the government’s blatant attempt to cover up the flood-control scam. The rally is not just about the unity of the INC and concerned citizens. It is about the fact that many Filipinos are sick and tired of corruption.

The issue is the flood-control scam, and it will continue to hound this administration.