Metro Manila, Philippines – The ombudsman has sought a precautionary hold departure order against Sen. Rodante Marcoleta and three others with the Sandiganbayan as they face investigations for plunder.
The application was raffled to the anti-graft court’s seventh division on Monday, May 25.
Also named in the request were his campaign contributors, namely, former Anakalusugan Rep. Mike Defensor and private individuals Aristotle Viray and Joseph Espiritu.
The ombudsman’s field investigation bureau has reportedly filed the charges against Marcoleta and three others for receiving ₱75 million in campaign donations for the 2025 elections.
The ombudsman application also mentioned an investigation for indirect bribery and violation of a presidential decree that prohibits public officials from receiving gifts and any form of benefits in the course of official duties and private persons from giving gifts on any occasion.
The Commission on Elections (Comelec) confirmed in March that the senator received a ₱75 million donation from Defensor, Espiritu, and Viray in three separate occasions before the official campaign period began.
Marcoleta addressed the complaint in his privilege speech before the Senate on Monday, calling it “trumped up charges.”
“The law did not define the limits of liberality among friends. They did not say that friendship must stop at a number chosen by one’s accusers. They did not say that generosity becomes criminal merely because the amount is substantial,” the senator said.
“At least I stated the truth. At least I faced the issue. At least I did not hide behind silence. So I ask: what of those who receive support, gifts, donations, favors, or assistance for their own electoral campaigns and keep them beyond public scrutiny?” he added.
In March, the Comelec cleared Marcoleta of any election offense despite his failure to disclose the ₱75 million contributions in his Statement of Contributions and Expenditures, upholding the senator’s defense that the funds were received before the campaign period.
The poll body, however, said the same jurisprudence does not apply to Marcoleta’s donors, who failed to submit their respective reports of contributions.
