The Office of the Ombudsman on Friday filed a plunder case against Senator Rodante Marcoleta for PHP75 million in undeclared campaign contributions he received to fund his 2025 senatorial bid. The case was filed despite days of protests by his supporters, led by the Iglesia ni Cristo (INC).
Charges and Co-Accused
Marcoleta was also charged with three counts of violating Presidential Decree No. 46, which prohibits public officials from receiving gifts while in office. His co-accused include former Quezon City congressman Mike Defensor, Joseph Espiritu, and Aristotle Viray.
Case Raffle and Marcoleta's Declaration
The plunder case was raffled to the 3rd division, while the three counts of graft were raffled to the 1st, 4th, and 6th divisions. Marcoleta declared a net worth of PHP51 million last year and spent PHP112 million on his election campaign, placing him 6th in the senatorial race. He claimed the funds were received in three tranches in January of that year, coming from friends who recognized his capability to be a senator.
