By Benjamin Pulta | Philippine News Agency
The Office of the Ombudsman on Friday filed non-bailable criminal charges for plunder against Sen. Rodante Marcoleta over P75 million in undeclared campaign contributions he received to bankroll his Senate bid in 2025.
Sen. Marcoleta’s indictment proceeded despite days of protests from his supporters, led by the Iglesia ni Cristo (INC).
He was also charged with three counts of violating Presidential Decree No. 46, which prohibits public officers from accepting gifts while in office.
The lawmaker’s co-accused are former Quezon City representative Mike Defensor, Joseph Esperitu, and Aristotle Viray.
The plunder charge was raffled to the 3rd division, while the three counts of receiving gifts were raffled to the 1st, 4th, and 6th divisions.
Sen. Marcoleta declared a net worth of P51 million last year and spent P112 million for his election bid. He ranked 6th in the senatorial race.
He claimed that the funds, which were received in three tranches in January of that year, came from donors who opted to remain anonymous but recognized his competence to be a senator.
