The Office of the Ombudsman is set to file a plunder case against Sen. Rodante Marcoleta this week, Ombudsman Boying Remulla confirmed.
Speaking during a news briefing, Remulla said the case is linked to an alleged ₱75-million undeclared donation received by Marcoleta.
According to Remulla, the complaint will be filed within the week. Plunder is a non-bailable offense under Philippine law.
The case stems from the recommendation of the Ombudsman’s Field Investigation Bureau, which alleged that the donations for Marcoleta’s senatorial campaign came from three individuals. The bureau identified the alleged donors as former congressman Mike Defensor, who allegedly contributed ₱30 million, Joseph Espiritu with an alleged ₱25 million donation, and Aristotle Viray with an alleged ₱20 million.
The alleged donations were reportedly not declared in Marcoleta’s Statement of Assets, Liabilities, and Net Worth (SALN).
Marcoleta has acknowledged receiving the donations but maintained that the cases filed against him are part of an effort to intimidate government critics.
Last week, Marcoleta released a video message claiming that an arrest warrant had already been prepared against him. The Philippine National Police later denied that such an arrest warrant existed.
The Ombudsman has yet to announce the exact date when the plunder complaint will be formally filed.
