Former Congressman Mike Defensor has questioned the legal standards applied in the plunder case filed against him and Senator Rodante Marcoleta at the Sandiganbayan on Friday, July 3. In a statement, Defensor argued that Marcoleta received only campaign donations and no government funds were involved.
Defensor Denies Theft, Questions Legal Theory
Defensor asserted that nothing was stolen from the public treasury and no favors were requested, promised, or given in exchange for the donations. He expressed bewilderment over how such transactions could be classified as plunder or robbery. The former lawmaker emphasized that if the government’s “legal theory” is to be applied, it must be implemented equally for all.
According to Defensor, public documents show that several officials made donations to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s election campaign. These include PHP 247 million from Special Assistant to the President Anton Lagdameo, and PHP 30 million each from PCSO General Manager Mel Robles and Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. All of them were later appointed to high government positions.
Defensor: Campaign Donations Should Be Scrutinized Equally
Defensor clarified that he is not alleging illegality but merely stating facts. He argued that if campaign donations are now being used as a basis for plunder cases, they should be investigated at the same level. He stressed that the law should not have different standards—one for political opponents and another for allies. According to him, this constitutes not fair justice but a clear form of selective justice.
Despite the case, Defensor said he is ready to face the charges in court, confident that truth is on his side, he has nothing to hide, and nothing to fear. “If they think these cases will silence me from exposing the flood control corruption, they are mistaken. I will not be silenced,” the former lawmaker concluded.
