MANILA — The Office of the Ombudsman has formally filed a plunder case before the Sandiganbayan against Senator Rodante Marcoleta and several co-respondents over an alleged P75 million in campaign donations received during his 2025 senatorial campaign.
The case centers on contributions reportedly made in January 2025 by former Anakalusugan Representative Mike Defensor, who allegedly donated P30 million, along with Aristotle Viray and Joseph Espiritu, who were said to have contributed P25 million and P20 million, respectively.
In his counter-affidavit, Marcoleta argued that the donations should not be treated as public funds, maintaining that the money consisted of private campaign contributions despite exceeding the P50 million threshold cited under the Anti-Plunder Law (Republic Act No. 7080).
Prosecutors also questioned the senator’s Statements of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth (SALN), noting that the P75 million was not reflected in his declaration as of June 30, 2025.
Records cited in the complaint showed that Marcoleta declared total assets worth P39.6 million accumulated from 1992 through June 30, 2025. His December 2025 SALN also reportedly listed only P16.7 million in cash and savings.
Responding to the allegations, Marcoleta explained that the campaign donations no longer appeared in his SALN because the funds had already been spent for election-related activities before the statements were prepared.
“The donations were likewise not reflected in my Statements of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth (SALN) 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 counter-affidavit.
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