Ombudsman files plunder case vs Marcoleta in Sandiganbayan ~ HUMAN RIGHTS PROMOTIONS

Friday, July 3, 2026

Ombudsman files plunder case vs Marcoleta in Sandiganbayan

Friday, July 03, 2026 Herbert Curia - Promoter No comments

From the Website of INQUIRER
links https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/2255295/ombudsman-files-plunder-case-vs-marcoleta-in-sandiganbayan

Defensor questions plunder case, says gov’t funds not involved

links: https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/2257248/defensor-questions-plunder-case-says-govt-funds-not-involved

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Ombudsman files plunder case vs Marcoleta in Sandiganbayan

MANILA, Philippines — The Office of the Ombudsman on Friday morning filed before the Sandiganbayan the plunder case against Sen. Rodante Marcoleta and three of his co-accused over a ₱75 million campaign donation, a day after the folding up of the Iglesia ni Cristo (INC) rally in support of their prominent member.

The case against Marcoleta, former Anakalusugan Rep. Mike Defensor, and businessmen identified as Aristotle Viray and Joseph Espiritu were filed by state prosecutors in the anti-graft court past 10 a.m.

“Today, we filed a plunder case against Sen. Rodante Marcoleta before the Sandiganbayan,” the anti-graft body said in a statement. “This was not a decision made lightly or by choice.”

The plunder case of Marcoleta, and his three co-accused was raffled to the anti-graft Third Division.

The Third Division will now study the Information or Charge sheet to determine if there is basis to issue an arrest warrant against the Senator and his co-accused for their plunder case, although the law states that they have 10 days to review the case information filed by state prosecutors before they could issue this legal order. Plunder is non-bailable so Marcoleta and co-accused would be jailed once they got arrested.

Aside from plunder, Marcoleta, Defensor, Espiritu, and Viray are charged with violating Presidential Decree No. 46, which prohibits public officials from receiving, and private persons from giving, gifts on any occasion.

On Monday, Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla announced their intention to file a plunder case against Marcoleta. This prompted an unauthorized rally of the INC in the Edsa Shrine in support of Marcoleta, which saw tens of thousands of attendees and major disruption in Metro Manila’s major thoroughfare. The Christian sect’s show of force began on Tuesday and lasted until Thursday.

“We recognize this case has stirred intense public debate, and we respect every citizen’s right to an opinion, to rally, and to demand accountability, including from us,” the Ombudsman said.

Also, the Office of the Ombudsman said the evidence against Marcoleta and his co-accused “leaves our office no discretion to look away.”

“These facts are not in dispute; the senator has publicly confirmed receiving the money, and they can be stipulated at the onset of trial,” the anti-graft body stressed.

In November last year, Marcoleta, in his TV program, admitted his “friends” gave him campaign contributions, in condition that their identities would not be disclosed.
Marcoleta’s defense

In January 2025, former Anakalusugan Rep. Mike Defensor, and certain Aristotle Viray and Joseph Espiritu allegedly donated ₱30 million, ₱25 million and ₱20 million, respectively, for Marcoleta’s senatorial bid.

According to his counter-affidavit, Marcoleta noted that the ₱75 million donation was not public funds, even though the donated funds exceeded the P50 million threshold for plunder under Republic Act (RA) 7080.

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.

Instead, the complaint noted that Marcoleta only declared ₱39.6 million in his SALN, which he said he acquired from 1992 to June 30, 2025.

Furthermore, Marcoleta, in his December 2025 SALN, declared only cash and savings amounting to ₱16.7 million.

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.”
‘Utang na loob’

Also the ₱75 million donation was not declared in his statement of contribution and expenditure (Soce) filed in the Commission on Elections (Comelec). In November 2025, the Comelec cleared Marcoleta of any election offense arising from the nondisclosure. The poll body’s chair, George Erwin Garcia, then noted that the senator received the donations prior to the start of the campaign period for the 2025 elections.

Meanwhile, the Ombudsman also noted that in one of his admissions, Marcoleta mentioned the term “utang na loob” or “debt of gratitude.”

But the Ombudsman said such a sentiment “has no place in public office.”

“A public servant owes no personal debt to any donor that supersedes what they owe the Filipino people,” the anti-graft body said.

“The moment gratitude is used to explain away ₱75 million in undisclosed money, it stops being ‘utang na loob’ and becomes exactly what our plunder and bribery laws were written to prevent,” it added. /apl /das