Senator Rodante Marcoleta asserted that the plunder and indirect bribery complaint filed against him is intended to silence him regarding his exposés on alleged anomalies in flood control projects and the upcoming impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte.
In a privilege speech at the Senate on Monday, Marcoleta said the charges against him and some associates are not merely legal matters but part of a deeper scheme to intimidate them. He stressed that he will not be swayed or silenced by the complaints.
The complaint stems from an investigation by the Field Investigation Bureau of the Office of the Ombudsman concerning an alleged receipt of P75 million by Marcoleta from three individuals in January 2025, when he was still a congressman. According to the investigation, Marcoleta admitted to the Commission on Elections (Comelec) that he received the amount. The Ombudsman argued that such a large sum cannot be considered a simple donation but likely a quid pro quo for a favor from the senator.
Marcoleta was also accused of not declaring the money in his 2025 Statement of Assets, Liabilities, and Net Worth (SALN). The senator said he will address the allegations in the proper legal forum.
In his speech, Marcoleta also called out Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla and accused some officials of being capable of twisting the law to pressure him.
Meanwhile, Marcoleta is among eight majority bloc senators facing various complaints, cases, or investigations. These include Senators Ronald dela Rosa and Bong Go, linked to the crimes against humanity case of former President Rodrigo Duterte at the ICC. Senator Francis Escudero is also under investigation regarding the flood control controversy, while the Department of Justice has recommended filing plunder and graft charges against Senator Jinggoy Estrada. Also under investigation are Senators Joel Villanueva and siblings Mark Villar and Camille Villar over various allegations.
Earlier, Senator Imee Marcos said there were threats against some majority bloc members to force them to switch to the minority and reclaim Senate leadership.
