The Sandiganbayan has announced that the request of the Office of the Ombudsman for a precautionary hold departure order against Senator Rodante Marcoleta, former Quezon City Representative Michael Defensor, and two businessmen is now submitted for resolution. The case involves the alleged failure to declare PHP 75 million in campaign donations.
Ombudsman's Concerns
According to the Ombudsman, there is a possibility that Marcoleta may leave the country due to his influence and financial capacity. The Ombudsman further argued that the failure to include the PHP 75 million in his Statement of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth (SALN) demonstrates a “tendency to conceal illegality.”
Separate Investigation
Investigators emphasized that their probe is separate from the decision of the Commission on Elections (Comelec), which earlier cleared Marcoleta of election offenses but recommended filing complaints against the alleged donors. The case is currently under preliminary investigation, and the respondents have been given 15 days to submit their counter-affidavits.
