The Office of the Ombudsman has asked the Sandiganbayan to issue a precautionary hold departure order against Senator Rodante Marcoleta, former Anakalusugan party-list Representative Mike Defensor, and two businessmen in connection with an alleged P75 million campaign donation for Marcoleta's candidacy in the 2025 elections.
Based on the recommendation of Ombudsman field investigators, Marcoleta, Defensor, businessman Joseph Varias Espiritu, and Aristotle Baluyut Viray should be charged with plunder and indirect bribery. According to the investigators, Marcoleta allegedly received a total of P75 million in campaign donations on three separate days, which could be considered a "gift" that may constitute plunder under anti-graft laws.
The request was submitted to the Sandiganbayan's Seventh Division on Monday, May 25. However, the Office of the Ombudsman has yet to issue a final resolution approving the formal filing of charges against the respondents.
Meanwhile, Marcoleta denied the allegations in his privilege speech on Monday. The senator claimed that the complaints filed against him are politically motivated and appear to be an attempt to twist the law. Defensor, Espiritu, and Viray have not yet issued official statements regarding the issue.
