MANILA, Philippines — A bureau under the Office of the Ombudsman has endorsed the filing of plunder and indirect bribery charges against Senator Rodante Marcoleta over alleged campaign contributions amounting to P75 million tied to his 2025 Senate campaign.
The recommendation was issued by the Ombudsman’s Field Investigation Bureau in Luzon, which also sought charges against former lawmaker Mike Defensor, along with Joseph Espiritu and Aristotle Viray.
The complaint, dated May 18 and later obtained by the Inquirer, claimed the three individuals provided financial support to Marcoleta’s candidacy, with Defensor allegedly contributing P30 million, Espiritu P25 million, and Viray P20 million.
Meanwhile, the Commission on Elections said it is prepared to coordinate with the Ombudsman if needed, despite previously dismissing its own investigation into the issue after finding no election-related violation.
The poll body added that there is currently no basis to reopen the case because no appeal or motion for reconsideration has been filed following the earlier dismissal.
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