Ombudsman files plunder case vs Marcoleta in Sandiganbayan

MANILA, Philippines — The Office of the Ombudsman filed before the Sandiganbayan the plunder case against Sen. Rodante Marcoleta and his co-accused over a P75 million campaign donation to him.

In January 2025, former Anakalusugan Rep. Mike Defensor, and certain Aristotle Viray and Joseph Espiritu allegedly donated P30 million, P25 million and P20 million for Marcoleta’s senatorial bid.

According to his counter-affidavit, Marcoleta noted that the P75 million donation was not public funds, even though the donated funds exceeded the P50 million threshold for plunder under Republic Act (RA) 7080.

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State prosecutors also noted that the amount was not reflected in his Statement of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth (SALN) as of June 30, 2025.

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Instead, the complaint noted that Marcoleta only declared P39.6 million in his SALN, which he said he acquired from 1992 to June 30, 2025.

The complaint said that Marcoleta, in his December 2025 SALN, declared only cash and savings amounting to P16.7 million.

In his counter-affidavit, Marcoleta said: “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.” /apl

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