MANILA, Philippines – The Office of the Ombudsman on Friday filed a plunder case before the Sandiganbayan against Sen. Rodante Marcoleta over the alleged non-disclosure of P75 million in campaign contributions he received ahead of the 2025 senatorial elections.
According to the Ombudsman, Marcoleta allegedly failed to declare the P75 million in campaign donations in both his 2025 Statement of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth (SALN) and his Statement of Contributions and Expenditures (SOCE), prompting prosecutors to charge him with plunder.
Also charged are former congressman Michael Defensor and businessmen Joseph Varias Espiritu and Aristotle Baluyut Viray. They face charges for plunder, indirect bribery, and violation of the presidential decree prohibiting public officials from receiving gifts.
The Sandiganbayan had earlier granted the Ombudsman's request for a precautionary hold departure order against the four while the preliminary investigation into the complaint was pending.
Ombudsman prosecutors alleged that Marcoleta unjustly enriched himself by accepting an "unconscionable" P75 million gift from the three individuals. They said that while the senator publicly acknowledged receiving P75 million in campaign donations, the amount was not reflected in either his SALN or SOCE.
"By accepting money from private individuals amounting to P75 million, he fell short of upholding the standard of responsibility and integrity," the Ombudsman prosecutors said.
Marcoleta previously defended his actions in a television interview, saying he did not disclose the contributions because the donors requested anonymity. He also argued that the funds were received about a month before the official campaign period and therefore became "personal funds" under the Peñera doctrine, which states that a person is considered a candidate only at the start of the campaign period.
At the time the donations were allegedly received, Marcoleta was serving as the representative of the SAGIP party-list in the House of Representatives.
The filing of the plunder case marks the latest development in the high-profile complaint, with the Sandiganbayan expected to determine whether there is sufficient basis to proceed with trial.
— The Summit Express
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