By Benjamin Cuaresma
MANILA — The Office of the Ombudsman is set to file a non-bailable plunder case against Sen. Rodante Marcoleta before the Sandiganbayan this week over the alleged mishandling of P75 million in campaign donations, Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla announced on Monday.
Speaking at a press briefing, Remulla confirmed that the case has reached its final stage and is ready for filing before the anti-graft court.
“Senator Marcoleta, it’s for resolution. We’re about to file it already,” Remulla said.
When asked to clarify, the Ombudsman confirmed that a formal plunder complaint would be lodged before the Sandiganbayan.
Also expected to be charged are former congressman Mike Defensor and private individuals Aristotle Viray and Joseph Espiritu, who were identified as Marcoleta’s co-respondents in the complaint.
Investigators alleged that in January 2025, Defensor, Viray, and Espiritu contributed P30 million, P25 million, and P20 million, respectively, to support Marcoleta’s senatorial campaign.
The prosecution maintains that the transactions form part of the evidence supporting the plunder complaint.
State prosecutors also pointed to alleged discrepancies in Marcoleta’s Statements of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth (SALN).
According to the complaint, the senator declared a net worth of P39.6 million in his SALN as of June 30, 2025. In a subsequent SALN filed in December 2025, he reportedly disclosed cash and bank deposits totaling only P16.7 million.
Prosecutors argued that the alleged P75 million in campaign contributions was not reflected in the required financial disclosures, an issue cited in the complaint.
In his counter-affidavit, Marcoleta denied any violation of the law, arguing that the campaign donations were private funds and therefore could not constitute plunder under Republic Act No. 7080.
He also maintained that the money was spent exclusively for legitimate election-related expenses before his SALNs were prepared.
“The donations were not reflected in my Statements of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth because, by the time the SALNs were prepared and executed, the amounts had already been used for their intended election-related purposes and were no longer assets held by me,” Marcoleta said in his sworn explanation.
Once formally filed, the Sandiganbayan will determine whether sufficient evidence exists to proceed to trial.
The filing marks another high-profile anti-corruption case initiated by the Office of the Ombudsman as it continues to pursue alleged misuse of public office and campaign-related funds.
Marcoleta has consistently denied the allegations and is expected to contest the charges before the court.
ia/xf
