The Sandiganbayan has issued a precautionary hold departure order (PHDO) against Senator Rodante Marcoleta, former congressman Mike Defensor, and two other officials in connection with plunder and indirect bribery cases based on findings by the Office of the Ombudsman.
Court Action
The 7th Division of the anti-graft court issued the PHDO on Tuesday, May 26, covering Joseph Varias Espiritu and Aristotle Baluyut Viray as well. According to the investigation, the case involves alleged campaign donations totaling PHP 75 million that Marcoleta received from his co-accused.
Ombudsman Request
The Office of the Ombudsman submitted a request for the PHDO on May 25, one day before the court issued it. The PHDO temporarily prohibits an individual from leaving the country while the case is under review, even if no formal charges have been filed in court.
The Ombudsman field investigators recommended filing plunder charges under Republic Act 7080 and violations of Presidential Decree No. 46, which prohibits government officials from accepting gifts. They also recommended indirect bribery charges against Marcoleta.
Campaign Donations Issue
An investigation by the Commission on Elections revealed that Marcoleta allegedly did not declare the campaign donations in his Statement of Contributions and Expenditures. The PHP 75 million was reportedly transmitted over four days in January 2025 from Defensor, Espiritu, and Viray.
