By Benjamin Cuaresma
MANILA, Philippines — Malacañang Palace has rejected accusations that the plunder charges filed against Rodante Marcoleta and several of his campaign donors were politically motivated, insisting that the case was built on documentary evidence and the senator’s own admissions.
Palace Press Officer Claire Castro stressed that the administration had no involvement in the filing of the complaint, noting that the investigation originated from the Office of the Ombudsman, which she described as an independent institution beyond Malacañang’s control.
According to Castro, the government cannot dictate how the Ombudsman handles investigations or disciplinary proceedings, dismissing claims that critics of the administration are being politically targeted.
Castro pointed to discrepancies allegedly found in Marcoleta’s Statements of Contributions and Expenditures (SOCE), as well as his Statements of Assets, Liabilities, and Net Worth (SALN), in relation to the scale of spending during the 2025 elections.
She also cited Marcoleta’s previous public statements acknowledging that some donors allegedly preferred to keep their identities hidden.
The Palace official emphasized that the documents and statements being used in the case were neither fabricated nor planted by the administration.
The Ombudsman’s Field Investigation Bureau in Luzon earlier recommended the filing of plunder and three counts of indirect bribery against Marcoleta over alleged campaign donations amounting to P75 million tied to his senatorial bid.
The same charges were also recommended against former congressman Michael Defensor, Joseph Espiritu, and Aristotle Viray, who were identified as donors in the complaint filed on May 18.
Investigators alleged that Defensor donated P30 million, while Espiritu and Viray supposedly contributed P25 million and P20 million, respectively, in early 2025.
According to the complaint, Marcoleta’s acceptance of the donations on separate occasions allegedly constituted plunder under existing laws.
The Commission on Elections, which previously terminated its own investigation into Marcoleta and ruled that no election offense had been committed, said it remains prepared to assist the Ombudsman if necessary.
The latest controversy adds to mounting political tensions involving opposition figures and allies of the administration ahead of key national political developments.
ia/xf
