Metro Manila, Philippines – The Sandiganbayan Third Division has ordered the 90-day preventive suspension of Senator Rodante Marcoleta over a plunder case on alleged ₱75-million campaign donations.
In a resolution released on Monday, Oct. 19, the anti-graft court ordered Marcoleta’s suspension from his Senate seat and any other public office he may hold, effective upon receipt of the resolution.
The suspension will automatically end after 90 days from its implementation.
Marcoleta was arrested on July 6 after he personally appeared before the Sandiganbayan in Quezon City, which had issued an arrest warrant against him and three co-accused over the alleged plunder of ₱75 million in campaign donations for the 2025 midterm elections.
The case stems from allegations that Marcoleta received ₱30 million from former lawmaker Mike Defensor, ₱25 million from businessman Joseph Espiritu, and ₱20 million from businessman Aristotle Viray while he was a SAGIP party-list representative.
Marcoleta also faces a separate charge of violating Presidential Decree 46, which prohibits public officials from receiving gifts given by reason of their official position or functions.
The court said preventive suspension is mandatory once the information is found valid and that it has no discretion to refuse the order.
It said the allegations in the plunder charge, if hypothetically admitted as true, sufficiently establish the elements of the offense, making the information valid for purposes of the suspension order.
The court also rejected Marcoleta’s arguments concerning his freedom of expression, political participation and equal protection, saying these issues must be addressed during trial.
The 3rd Division added that Marcoleta’s suspension would not prevent the 24-member Senate from performing its functions, as the chamber and its committees can continue working through their remaining members.
